The McDowell Family Combined Chronology

The McDowell Family Combined Chronology

The McDowell Children

Lora:

Lora (McDowell) Graziani is the firstborn of the McDowell Family and has two children Erica and Brock. Lora can be seen in the left of the photo (Pictured Right).

Rick:

Rick (Richard) McDowell is the middle child of the McDowell Family and has one child named Caleb. Rick can be seen to the furthest right of the photo (Pictured Right).

Adam:

Adam McDowell is the youngest of the McDowell Family and has one child named Jared. Adam can be seen to the left of the photo (Pictured Right).

Although the family moved a few times, the bulk of the three children’s childhood was spent in their Defiance home.

Fun Fact: Rick and Adam once attempted to make a submarine in their pond from Plywood and plexiglass. Scarily they were mildly successful.

The Singing McDowells/The McDowell Family

The family gospel group went by a few names over the years, but initially was started by Alice and Rich along with their children. The traveled from church to church playing music and sharing their testimony along the way.

 

Later, Alice and Rich would step back into a support role in the group when their son Rick took over the group and renamed it from “The McDowell Family” to “The Singing McDowells” This change reflected the new group dynamic that consisted of more than just immediate family members. Rick can be seen posing for a picture in the newspaper with the new group (Pictured Right).

Fun Fact: in the original publication, the authors incorrectly labeled Caleb as “Karen”

In addition to the new name, Rick also introduced newly self-written and published songs into the group’s roster of songs like “Heir Conditioned” and “Down in Georgia” which were often based on experiences that the group had on their travels. In particular, Down in Georgia was a parody of “The Devil was Down in Georgia” which he wrote after the group’s bus broke down in Georgia after a singing.

Alice McDowell

 

Alice McDowell

Alice McDowell was born to Rose and Burlin Strickland in Pike County Ohio. She married Rich (Ed) McDowell on Sep 4, 1964.

Alice worked as a registered nurse until her retirement.

Nursing Career

Alice McDowell graduated as an RN from Northwest State in the class of 1992. She primarily worked in the maternity ward of the Defiance Regional hospital, assisting with the delivery of newborn babies. She enjoyed her job and the ability to help bring new life into the world. Alice also worked as head nurse at the nursing home and managed other nurses for a time.

The McDowell Family

Alice was one of the main vocalists of the McDowell Family group and remained in this position when Rick (her son) continued the group. She can be seen performing alongside her husband Rich during one of the group’s later gigs (Pictured Right).

Alice’s voice was part of the singing group’s identity, often being noted that it was a characteristically deeper tone that was impactful, yet elegant. One of her favorite songs to sing is “I wanna to know how it feels”.

 

Fun Fact: Once while visiting St. Louis gateway arch, Alice set off the metal detectors due to a titanium screw in her back from a prior back surgery.

Hobbies

Alice loves quilting and did so frequently with her mother. In the image to the right Alice’s Mother, Rose, can be seen with one of their many quilts (Pictured Right). Alice liked to make day trips with her mother
frequently and would often cite that her mother was running her until she was tired. The two would frequently work late into the night on quilts in Alice’s basement. She would often visit and spend time with her father Burlin with Rose when both were alive (Pictured Below).

Return to Lucasville

Alice later purchased a home in Lucasville on the river, not far from where the couple had previously owned property that Rich’s father stayed in. Alice and Rich travel between homes as they still own their property in Defiance. 

Edwin (Ed) Richard McDowell

 

Edwin (Ed) Richard McDowell

Commonly referred to as “Ed” or “Rich”, Rich was born in southern Ohio in Pike County to Edwin and Helen (Smith) McDowell. Ed also had a sibling named Tom who passed away in 2014.

Early Life

Born in Pike County OH, He went on to marry Alice McDowell and live in Pike for a time. When the GM Foundry in Defiance OH opened, the couple moved to Defiance for employment. Rich and Alice went on to have three children: Lora, Rick, and Adam.

One of the couple’s properties, a Lucasville home can be seen on the edge of the Scioto River, Alice once stated that the basement of the house would flood when the river was up, and that she could hear the water at night (Pictured Right). This house was purchased on behalf of Rich’s father so that he would have a place to stay in his elderly years.

 

Fun Fact: When he was 17, Rich attempted to register for the draft. During this attempt he discovered that he was 17 and not 18 as he had previously thought.

The Singing McDowells

During his working life, he brought his family together for musical gigs at churches where they were known as “The McDowell Family”. Over the years they performed at many churches and even maintained their own private bus for transporting their equipment. The group also produced several records (Pictured Right) and saw good success in the Northwest Ohio region. This group name was later modified by his son Rick who later continued the family band as “The Singing McDowells”.

GM Electrician

During his time at the GM Foundry, Rich worked as an Electrician. He maintained critical equipment for the foundry that included different types of pouring equipment and line controls.

Rich’s Car Collection
During his employment he also came into possession of two Bremen Motorsports factory-built kit cars, the “Mini Mark” and the “Maxi Taxi” of which he has made multiple road trips in and often takes to car shows. In the picture to the Right, Rich can be seen with Rick, his son, and their kit cars (Pictured Right).

He also later came into possession of his 1978 25^th Anniversary edition corvette which he worked on until parking and later gifting to his grandson Caleb McDowell (Pictured Right).

Fun Fact: For Rich’s birthday, his family all chipped in for a NASCAR car ride trip in which suited up and rode around the track (Pictured Above Left).

Post GM Retirement Work and Current Home

Rich worked after his GM retirement as a bus driver for the local rest home. He would also perform musical shows at the rest home, often these shows would include comedic elements such as his famous Elvis Presley Impersonation.

Rich currently resides in Defiance Ohio at the family home (Pictured Right), he enjoys fishing and traveling with Alice McDowell.

Cochran Family Combined Cronology

 

The Cochran Family Combined Chronology

The Cochran Children:

Cynthia (Cindy):

Cindy (Cochran) Muncey is the firstborn of the Cochran Family and has three daughters Kacey, Amber and Audry. Cynthia can be seen in the right image holding one of her daughters (Pictured Right).

Pamela (Pam):

Pamela (Cochran) McDowell is the youngest of the Cochran Daughters and has one son named Caleb. Pamela can be seen holding her son Caleb (Pictured Right).

Grand Canyon Trip:

While John was employed at GM, and when Pamela was around the age of 7 or 8, the family made a trip to the Grand Canyon. John documented this trip with video and photos. Pamela rediscovered the video reels in 2023 when looking through some boxes she had inherited. In some of the shots, Pamela and Cindy can be seen playing in a shallow body of water (Pictured Right)

In another scene, you can see Peggy, Pamela and Cindy looking over the landscape from one of the outlooks (Pictured Right). The family made this trip in their station wagon; and according to Pamela, they had a picnic. The group can be seen resting against one of the park signs (See Below).

Cochran/Lighthouse Motel:

After his GM retirement, John owned and operated the Lighthouse Motel in Carolina Beach, N.C with his wife, Peggy Cochran, and daughter, Pamela. They had originally named the motel the Cochran Motel, however later changed it to the Lighthouse Motel.

Fun fact: At one point when helping a guest pack their car, John accidentally helped them take his own pillows.

The Cochran family suffered a major loss at this time, the oldest daughter of the family, Cindy, passed away due to a commercial airplane crash (United Airlines Flight 232) during July of 1989 on her way back from visiting her husband in Hawaii.

 

Shortly after the accident, Hurricane Hugo struck in September 1989 the motel survived relatively unscathed, Pamela McDowell recounts that they had evacuated, and when they returned the pool had been filled with sand; however, no heavy damages had occurred. She keenly remembers a rag that her mother had dropped on the porch floor had remained there. The family credits God for watching over them during that time. 

It was around this time that John discovered and reached out to Josè.

In the adjacent photos, John can be seen sitting with his sister-in-law Ella (Peggy Cochran’s sister) and Johnny (Ella’s husband) (left picture). He can also be seen posing for a picture with his wife Peggy Cochran at the Lighthouse motel (right picture).

Later when Pamela went on to marry Rick McDowell in 1991, management of the Lighthouse motel shifted to them as John and Peg took a less hands on approach.

Peggy Cochran

Peggy Cochran

Peggy L.  Cochran, 75, of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Mercy Defiance Hospital.  
 

Early Life
Peggy was born on May 9, 1944 to Robert and Gladys (Carico) Salyers in Buchanan, Virginia where she spent most of her childhood. On August 24, 1963, she married John B. Cochran, and they resided in Defiance, OH.

Prior to their marriage, Peggy had been in Defiance, OH helping babysit for her sister Shirl and brother-in-law Charlie Stiltner. Peggy in total had 5 sisters, 3 of which remained in Virginia, and 2 of which resided in Defiance, OH. Her sisters' names were Lucille, Evelyn, Millie, Shirley and Ella.

Fun fact: Peggy would often comically blame her children/grandchildren for dropping/spilling items such as ice, food or drinks when it was clearly evident that she had indeed dropped/spilled it.

The Salyers Sisters

Peggy was very close with all of her sisters, they were all the daughters of the late Robert "Babe" Salyers and Gladys Carico Salyers Keen. Below is a list of her sisters. (Pictured Above)

Lucille (Lucille (Salyers) Raines)

Born April 30, 1934 in Dickenson County, VA. She passed away at 80 years of age while living in Johnson City, TN, formerly of Grundy, VA, on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at the Johnson City Medical Center, Johnson City, TN, following a brief illness. She was a resident of Buchanan County most of her life and was a devout Christian and attended the Tookland Pentecostal Church. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister and was a wonderful homemaker. Lucille was a former secretary for Combs & Street Law Firm, Grundy, VA.

Evelyn (Evelyn Loretta (Salyers) Fleming Snead)

Evelyn currently resides in Grundy, Va. and celebrated her 90th birthday at the Appalachian School of Law in 2025. She was born on July 5, 1935. She was a single mother for a time after her divorce; however, she eventually remarried Joe Snead whom she remained married to until his death. Evelyn was well known for her oatmeal pies that she delivered to her loved ones every Christmas.

Fun fact: Vanessa, her daughter compiled a cookbook for her 90th birthday of all of the Salyers women and their famous recipes that she compiled from their children. 

Millie (Mildred Ann (Salyers) Davis)

Born February 22, 1949 in Grundy, VA.  She passed away at 73 years of age on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at her home with her family by her side. Millie was of Pentecostal faith, a devoted Christian, and attended Word Evangelist Outreach Church. She was a former employee of D & K Burks as a bookkeeper, attended Southwest Virginia Community College, the University of North Carolina and the University of Florida where she earned her Masters Degree in Psychology. She loved working in her flower gardens, entertaining, traveling with her family and friends and joining her husband in playing competitive card games. She was a loving wife, sister, sister-in-law and aunt.

Shirl (Shirley May (Saylers) Stiltner)

Born on January 29, 1937 in War, West Virginia. She passed away at 83 years of age on April 19, 2020 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. On February 21, 1959 she married Charlie Stiltner, who resides in Defiance. Shirley was a member of First Assembly of God in Defiance. She worked for several years as a bookkeeper for Arnold Haviland Company. Shirley enjoyed reading, playing Sudoku, and was a prayer warrior.

Ella (Ella Elizabeth (Salyers) Edwards)

Born April 26, 1939 in Grundy, Virginia. She passed away at 80 years of age on April 2, 2020 at her home.  In 1956 she married Johnny Kendrick Edwards, who preceded Ella in death in 2011. Together they raised five children. Ella was known as Mimi by all of her grandchildren and many others. Ella held God’s word close to her heart and loved to sing his praises.

Fun Fact: Ella was well known for her vibrant lipstick that she often wore, the family often joked that you would never see her without it.

Family Life and Faith

John and Peggy moved frequently while residing in Defiance, however; One location of note was on Banner school Road, Defiance OH.

Peggy attended Faith Tabernacle Pentecostal Church in Defiance. She formerly owned and operated Lighthouse Motel in Carolina Beach, NC.

Peggy never met a stranger and would pray for anyone in need. She always talked about God's goodness and His miracles. She was always uplifting, had a positive attitude, and always believed in living “one day at a time”. 

Fun fact: Peggy would often sing an abbreviated version of the song “Yes Lord, Yes” while cooking in the kitchen.

Peggy and John can be seen in the living quarters of their motel. (Pictured Right).

In the two pictures to the right Peggy can be seen in one of the Cochran family homes taking care of one of her daughters (Pictured Right).

Updated 11-26-25 to add "The Salyers Sisters" Section

John Cochran

 

John Cochran

Johnny B. Cochran, 77, of Defiance OH, passed away on Sunday, August 2, 2020 at The Rehabilitation Center of Cheraw in South Carolina.   
 

Early Life and Military service

He was born on July 17, 1943 to the late Lee and Rachel (Clevinger) Cochran in Harman, Virginia. John proudly served our country in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1963. On August 24, 1963 he married Peggy L. (Salyers) Cochran, who preceded him in death on December 28, 2019. Together they had two children, Cynthia (Cochran) Muncey and Pamela Lee (Cochran) McDowell; John also had one son named José from a previous relationship.

Fun Fact: John signed up for military service at age 17 and weighed only 117 lbs.

GM Quality Inspector:

John worked as a Quality Inspector for General Motors foundry in Defiance, OH until his retirement in 1988. In this position he inspected metal castings for defects.

John once remarked that he would smack the end of crankshafts with a hammer, looking for gray metal casting defects that would result in the crankshaft end cracking or shattering and crumbling.

Later in his career he worked second shift and would often cite this as the reason he stayed up later into the night, tinkering with computers and reading articles during his retirement.

He retired at the age of 45 and reinvested all his savings into what would become the Lighthouse Motel, a business he operated with his wife (Peggy Cochran) daughter (Pamela (Cochran) McDowell), and later his son-in-law (Rick McDowell).

John’s Cars

During this period of his life, John also enjoyed owning a 1973 Chevrolet Corvette which he sold to have money for the purchase of their motel (pictured right).

 

Post retirement:

After selling the Lighthouse motel, John and Peggy returned to Defiance Ohio and lived in the Sherwood Forest community.

Fun Fact: On Google Street view, John can be seen mowing the lawn during the day (Pictured Right). This is one of two locations that he can be spotted on google maps, the second being at his later house in Marion, SC. This coincidence is largely due in part to his affinity to working outdoors during his retirement.

 

Hobbies and Faith

He attended Faith Tabernacle Church in Defiance, and was a member of UAW Local #211, and NRA. He enjoyed working on computers, snowmobiling, fishing, boating/jet skiing, and throughout the years, he taught many people how to water ski. He also often enjoyed Geo-Caching with his grandson Caleb McDowell. (Pictured right)

John’s Websites

John also provided web design services in the early to mid-2000’s for his church as well as his daughter’s Karate School he often performed seasonal changes to his websites such as a snowfall during the Christmas season (Pictured Left August 2005 and Right December 2005).

Both of these pictures were sourced via the Wayback Machine on web.archive.org

Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20020810202915/http://www.defnet.com/~dcma/

Another such website that could be found was his personal website JBC where you could find catalogued photographs of events that he was a part of like his mother’s birthday, and the Cochran family reunion (Pictured Right).

Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20050212052916/http://www.defnet.com/~jbc/