Nola Renee (Slaybaugh) McDowell passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the age of 71 in Sherman, Texas. She was born on February 25, 1954, in Lima, Ohio, to Douglas Theodore Slaybaugh and Patsy Jean (Council) Slaybaugh. On May 7, 1977, Nola married Gary McDowell in Duncanville, Texas. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised four children.
Nola had a passion for arts and crafts and loved spending time with her grandchildren whom she adored. She was a proud Great Grandmother to Alice McDowell and Scarlett McDowell. She found joy in gardening, curating a unique jewelry collection, especially her earrings—and savoring a strong, black cup of coffee each day. Known for her compassion, Nola was always quick to save a wandering turtle and adored her feline companions.
She is survived by her loving husband, Gary McDowell of Commerce, Texas; her children: Bonnie Kopecky and husband Michael, Richard McDowell and wife Rachel, Damon McDowell and wife Angela, and Meghan Pierce and husband Jeff. Nola was a proud grandmother to Preston McDowell, Rhett McDowell, Reese McDowell, Madelynn McDowell, Harrison McDowell, and Joshua Pierce. She is also survived by her siblings: Doug Slaybaugh, Thad Slaybaugh, Dawn Lyons and husband James, Rhonda Michael, Soine Fisher, brother-in-law, Greg McDowell; and her Five beloved cats: Stripes, 13, Saturn, Maisy Jr. “MJ”, and Twiggy. Nola leaves behind many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends who will deeply miss her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Douglas and Patsy Slaybaugh, brothers JamesTimothy Slaybaugh, Terry Slaybaugh as well as her sister Denise Rankin.
I love her with all my heart ,she was a proper momme even thons was a British bastard for 20 yrs xxxxxxx
My oldest, longest and most dear friend. The most compassionate soul ever met to both animals and humans including insects. Able to see beauty and wonder in small things the rest of us don’t slow down enough to notice. I was blessed to know her as a child and again after a 25 year absence to find her again in Texas and enjoy nearly 40 years of her company. Even in death she has opened my eyes to seeing grief in a new way. She will be sorely missed.
My beloved friend of 52 years passed too fast.We spent many a time with our kids at Duncanville park feeding the ducks and having burgers at the charcoal place on camp wisdom.We went on trips to Fort Hood and on a cruise with her sisters and spent hours on the phone just chatting and she spent time with me in Slidell,La.She was my sidekick in crime and there were no secrets between us.I loved her more than a sister and will miss her so very very much.Our coffee time and family time was so special.Nola my friend my heart hurts for you and you are forever my dear friend I had the privilege of claiming to be aunt of her 4 children. Will always be grateful to her for that honor and I will always be there for them.
My friend I miss our visits already 😢 we stayed in touch after I retired an moved to south Texas. Some short text and some long
I met you at YMCA in Greenville Water aerobics. We enjoyed Texas Rangers so I took you to a game. We had so much fun. I paid cause you wouldn’t let me pay for expenses in helping me with my shoulder surgery. Several trips before during and after. Thank you being single you saw my needs and offered to help. We could visit about anything our faith , families, friends…. Such encouraging words for each other. We shared John Wayne memorabilia. Gary you like that mostly Big Fans🤠
I met your kids and grands. We shared visits about them. She did love her kids and grands 🥰
The funniest story that I’ll cherish the most was when Meghan and Jeff lived next door Joshua too. Anyway there was work in backyard Joshie was left in pickup don’t know how but Josh managed to put pickup in gear and it began to roll. Surprising everyone 🫨 Pickup rolled into the tree No harm to him but the story was sure funny. Joshie was having fun 😂😂😂. Family I pray for comfort. Nola was a good friend, mother, grandmother, wife, sister, aunt
Truly will be missed
I can see her with a roll of quarters with the grands riding merry go round. At the grocery store. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🥰
My dear Nola, my first friend when we moved to Washington, we met in 1969 and remained friends all these years! I love you so much and will miss you! You created a beautiful family and life! Rest my friend!