Tanya Renee McDowell- Black

April 5, 1949 - December 27, 2017

Tanya Renee McDowell-Black, born April 5, 1949, was the second child of Thomas A. McDowell, Sr. and Alyce Spence McDowell. She and her older sister, Evanda, and her younger brother, Thomas Jr. (Champ), were reared in a close loving Christian family. Her early life was enriched by summer vacations spent with her grandparents, Reverend and Mrs. Samuel R. Spence, aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins in Chattanooga, TN. Tanya was “born” and reared in Spruce Street Baptist Church where she was baptized by Reverend L.H. Woolfolk. She attended Sunday School and was a member of the youth choir. She also worked in the Vacation Bible School, teaching arts and crafts to the children and adults. Tanya’s early formal education began at Saint Vincent De Paul Catholic School. She then attended McKissack Elementary, Wharton Jr. High, and Pearl High School. A gifted artist, Tanya was a proud graduate of Pearl High School. There she studied art under the tutelage of Mrs. Ardella Thompson. She attended Spelman College where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in art and a minor in history. During the 1970 graduation ceremony at Spelman, Tanya received a monetary award for her oil painting entitled “FREE.” After participating in a post graduate program in art at Fisk University, Tanya left Nashville to attend Otis Institute of Art in Los Angeles, California. There she received a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree. Her accomplishments in art included not only the visual arts, but also crafts, such as quilting, knitting, needlepoint, and crocheting. She sold many of her quilts and needlepoint items. In addition to her art business, Tanya worked at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Hospital, and UCLA Medical Center as an emergency room admitting clerk. Tanya moved back to Nashville with her two children, Hemerd and Magnita, after fifteen years in Los Angeles. She continued her work as an emergency room admitting clerk at Baptist and Southern Hills Hospitals. Tanya is considered to be a miracle! In 1997, while pursuing a post graduate degree at Trevecca Nazarene College, she suffered a brain aneurysm and was given only a thirty percent chance of surviving. She defied the odds, and with God’s blessing, numerous prayers and dedicated care giving from her loving and devoted mother, Alyce, for many years, and more recently from her devoted sister, Evanda, she became well enough to attend Fifty Forward Day Care Center for Disabled Adults for seventeen years. Every day, she spent time helping others with their arts and crafts projects, and leading the song service. Even though Tanya was challenged with physical disabilities she handled her illness very well; and was grateful to everyone who helped her. On Wednesday, December 27, 2017, Tanya answered the Master’s call and entered full Eternal Life. She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas A. McDowell, Sr., and her brother Thomas A. McDowell, Jr. She leaves to cherish her legacy of love and service: Mother, Alyce S. McDowell; Sister, Evanda A. McDowell; Son, Hemerd M. Black (Autumn) New York, NY; daughter, Magnita S. Black, Nashville, TN; Grandchildren, David Michael, Asa Jacob, Josiah Isaac, Jehoshaphat Isaiah and Puah Black; Uncle, Elroy McDowell, Newark, NJ; Aunts, Josephine S. Kelley, Chattanooga, TN, and Alice B. Spence, Memphis, TN. Cousins: Sandra M. Tudos, St. Thomas, USVI, Jacquelyn M. Pryor (Charles), Reynoldsburg, Ohio; Karen L. Miller Tatum (Cornell),Tuskegee, AL, Langston J. Spence, and Roslyn Spence, Chattanooga, TN; Harold Wayne Spence (Cindy) Atlanta, GA; Samuel R. S. Montgomery (Karen), Philadelphia, PA; Paula J. Evans (Eugene) Memphis, TN, Robert L. J. Spence, JR. (Dorchelle), Memphis, TN, Reginald Spence, Baltimore, MD, Rhonda Spence, Memphis, TN, Fannie Wynn (Kenneth), Tampa, FL. Kenneth Wynn, Enterprise, AL, Deborah Wynn, Wanda Wynn, Michael Wynn (Tammy) all of Tampa, FL. Extended Family, Akim Diomande (Aminata) and children; Special Friend, Denise Campbell, Los Angeles, CA, and many other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Thomas A. McDowell Sr. scholarship fund, Spruce Street Baptist Church, 504 Spruce Street, Nashville, 372013, or Fifty Forward, 174 Rains Avenue, 37203 Public visitation Friday, January 5, with family present 3:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. at Highland Hills Funeral Home, 2422 Brick Church Pike. Visitation, Saturday, January 6, 11:00 a.m. with Funeral to follow at 12:00 Noon, Spruce Street Baptist Church, 504 Spruce Street. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Thomas A. McDowell Sr. scholarship fund, Spruce Street Baptist Church, 504 Spruce Street, Nashville, 37203, or Fifty Forward, 174 Rains Avenue, 37203. Interment in Greenwood West Cemetery, Nashville, TN.