Earl William Downs

Earl was born on August 6, 1945, in Carlinville, Illinois, the son of Ralph Emmerson Sr. and Cleo Alberta (Champion) Downs. He attended Hettick Elementary School in Hettick, Illinois and then attended Northwestern High School in Palmyra, Illinois. On August 6, 1962, Earl enlisted in the United States Air Force in St. Louis, Missouri. He was honorably discharged in September of 1963 in Smyrna, Tennessee. Earl was married to Betty Griffin Allen for twenty-five years. He was a member of the Church of Christ. He loved to fish, play cards and dominos. Earl mostly enjoyed going to JM's visiting with people. Survivors include: his wife, Betty Allen Downs, of the home; his daughters, Benita Wallace and husband Mike of Norman, Beverly Swadley and husband Steve of Eufaula and Dalene Daniels and husband Larry of Norman; his brothers, Danny Roy Downs of Illinois, Gary Downs of Florida, Larry Downs of Florida and Bill Downs also of Florida; his sisters, Sandra Hackman of Texas, Mary Lee Jaggers of Illinois, Shirley Kerbowac of Illinois and Ann Madden of Tennessee ; his grandchildren, Brandon Pearce, Rebecca Pearce-Goodale, Sydney Fancher, Drew Swadley, Coleman Wallace and their families; four great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Cleo Downs, his brothers, Ralph Downs, Bob Downs and Gene Downs and his sister, Gloria Daech