Rosemary Burkhart McDowell was born on November 18, 1952, in Pampa, Texas to Lewis and Essie Burkhart.  She developed a love for singing as a child and she made it her passion for her entire life, singing in numerous church choirs, and receiving a full musical scholarship to West Texas State University.  She worked as a cast member for several musical productions such as "Texas" and "The Promise", and was a member of various other singing groups.

She met her husband Jim McDowell, in 1991, and they were married in 1995, enjoying lake life in Granbury, Texas, where she worked for many years at Lake Granbury Medical Center.  She was a lover of animals, and animals and was often in the right place at the right time when an animal was in need of care or a loving home.  She moved to Rio Rancho, New Mexico in 2021, to be closer to her son, Jeremy and his family.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Walter and Josie Payte, paternal grandparents Henry and Annie Burkhart, parents Lewis and Essie Burkhart, sister Sharon Janelle Burkhart, husband Jim McDowell, brother Don "Donnie" Burkhart, sister-in-law Mary Burkhart, nephew Ritchie Farrell, son Tracy McDowell, brother-in-law Ron McDowell, and sister-in-law Rita Wade.  She is survived by her son Jeremy Tarter and wife Angela, daughter Robin Philibur, grandchildren Jaycee Tarter, Ragan Philibur, Taylor McDowell, and nieces Katy Stone and Delora "Dee" Burkhart, sisters-in-law Diane McDowell and Cookie McDowell, and brother-in-law Norm McDowell, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins and their families.

Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho on November 16, 2024, at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Animal Humane Society of New Mexico www.animalhumanenm.org.