Alma Rita Smith Dowd

Mrs. Alma Rita Smith Dowd, 76, of Columbia, SC, passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2019, after an extended illness, surrounded by her family. Mrs. Dowd was married to Mr. Henry Dowd for forty years and was born on July 30, 1942, in Neeses, SC.She was the daughter of the late Otis Drayton and Alma Hutto Smith.She was a high school graduate and lived in Neeses, Orangeburg and Swansea before moving to Columbia in 1971.She was the Owner/Operator of Safeguard Business Systems for over 25 years until her retirement. She was a member of Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church.In addition to her church activities, she was heavily involved with shag activities and was a member of the Capital City Shag Club.She was the co-founder of the Shag Extravaganza. Rita will be sorely missed by her family and the many friends that she touched during her lifetime.She will be remembered for her kindness, loyalty, loving heart and the green thumb displayed by her beautiful garden and yard. There will be a Wake Service and Visitation from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM on February 4, 2019 at Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church, 120 Marydale Lane, Columbia, SC. Rita’s life will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, February 5, 2019 at Mt. Beluah Pentecostal Holiness Church, 2610 Ninety Six Road, Neeses, SC, followed by burial in the church cemetery next to her brother and parents.Family and friends are invited for lunch at the church following the burial. Survivors, in addition to her husband Henry, is son Ken (Maribeth) Corbett of Columbia; grandson Jason (Jennifer) Corbett; granddaughter, Sarah Corbett; great-granddaughters, Hayden Elizabeth Corbett and Brooklyn Olivia Corbett; sister, Mary Ann Jackson; nieces, Faree Ann (Brian) Lucas, Tonya (Tony) Parcell, and Jimilyn Kell; nephew, J. W. (Jackie) Jackson; brother-in-law’s, Johnny and Donnie Dowd and their families and a special aunt, Lois Whitley.She was predeceased by a brother Jimmy and sister-in-law, Anne Dowd Edwards. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be sent to the ALS foundation (www.alsa.org) or condolences and comments to https://www.mcalhanyfuneralhome.com.Culler-McAlha