Francisco Enrique McDowell

On Thursday, March 4, 2021, Francisco Enrique McDowell, affectionately known as “Bro. Ricky”, “Bro. Rick”, ”Cisco”,  was called home to Glory.  He was born on March 10, 1935, in Faith’s Pen, Jamaica to the late Sydney and Ida McDowell.  Bro. Ricky moved to Ocho Rios, Jamaica as an adult and began his working career.  While in Ocho Rios he was introduced to the United Pentecostal Church where he was baptized in Jesus’ Name and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.  He married Delphis Octavia White on January 21, 1959.  They served in Bethel Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church, Ocho Rios, Jamaica before moving the family to the United States of America.

Bro. Ricky began his career as a waiter in hotels in Jamaica and eventually came to Williamsburg, VA, in 1969, as one of the first waiters from Jamaica to work for Colonial Williamsburg.  He worked at The Cascades Restaurant until his retirement.  He was instrumental in recommending many Jamaican waiters to Colonial Williamsburg and many are still here with their families.   He continued his career working for The Marriott Corporation in Williamsburg until his final retirement.

Bro. Ricky was a devoted man of God.  He was faithful to his God, his family, and his church. He was a member of the Apostolic Church in Williamsburg before moving to the United Pentecostal Church (now The Peninsula Pentecostals), Newport News in 1987.  Bro. Ricky was one of the elders of The Peninsula Pentecostals church and participated in many church activities.  He was a trustee, director of the XYZ Ministry for saints with Extra Years of Zeal and for many years was a member of the Pastor’s Prayer Team.  He loved to praise God and his favorite praise was “Oh Glory.”  

Bro. Ricky was a very friendly, kind, and social individual.  He always had a smile on his face and kind words for everyone he met.  He enjoyed planting vegetables each year and would share them with neighbors and friends.  He loved and enjoyed the saints at The Peninsula Pentecostals especially his Connection Group.  He was known for being humorous and even playing tricks on people.  All the children, and some adults, knew him as the “Candy Man” because he often distributed candy from the trunk of his car after services.

Our hearts are heavy because of the loss of our dear husband, father, brother, and friend but we know he has transitioned to a place of peace and rest.  We will miss brother Ricky but we are striving to reunite with him someday.

Bro. Ricky was a great family man and was devoted to his wife, his children, and grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his sons; Easton and Bryan, his parents, six brothers, and one sister.  He leaves to cherish beautiful memories, his devoted wife, Delphis, children; Annette Grier, Ovril, Marlene Kirkpatrick (John), and Donna, grandchildren; Erika and Alexis Kirkpatrick, DiAndre Grier, and Jada and Israel McDowell, sister, Lolita Sequira, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. He will also be greatly missed by his extended family and friends in the Jamaican community, his church family in the USA and Jamaica, and many caring friends.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at Peninsula Pentecostals, Newport News.  Facial coverings and social distancing are required. Facebook Livestream will be available at the start of the service.  Interment to follow in Williamsburg Memorial Park. A walk-through viewing will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011. whitingsfuneralhome.com

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