Robert Eugene (Bobby) Downing, Sr.

ROBERT EUGENE (BOBBY) DOWNING, SR., 74, of Valdosta, died Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at Lake City Veterans Administration Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was born in Lowndes County on June 29, 1933, a son of the late Alexander Downing and Carrie Lee Youmans Downing. Bobby was a Navy veteran and had retired from Crackin Good Bakery.

He loved farming, his cows, chickens, and his farm, and he loved visiting his many friends.

Survivors include three nieces, Joyce Downing, Jacqueline Downing Tustin, and Debbie Downing Hughes, all of Valdosta, nine nephews, Jeremy C. Downing (Papa's Boy) of Valdosta, William Downing of Waycross, Joyce and wife Viola Shiver of Waycross, Lloyd and wife Fran Downing of Jacksonville, FL, Lawson and wife Jan Downing of Virginia Beach, VA, Mickey Downing, Tony Downing, Tim Downing, and Gary Downing, all of Green Cove Springs, FL, two sister-in-laws, Ruth Downing of Green Cove Springs, FL, and Liz Downing of Waycross. He is also survived by a special adopted son and daughter, Keith and wife Lisa Hodge of Valdosta, and special adopted grandchildren, Savannah Davis of Lakeland and Little Buck Keene of Valdosta. He was predeceased by his wife Mary Newsome Downing, son, Robert Eugene (Ronnie) Downing, Jr. of Valdosta, stepsons, Sammy, Punkin and Wayne Wilkes, all of Cocoa Beach, FL, nephews, George A. (Tinker) Downing, Michael Downing, and Jeremy Allyn Downing, all of Valdosta, brothers, George W. Downing of Valdosta, William C. (Dutch) Downing of Waycross, A.C. (Neil) Downing of Green Cove Springs, FL, Lawson Downing of Valdosta, and Austin Downing of Charleston, SC, and by a sister, Cassie Lee Portis of Waycross.

Services will be held at 11 am Thursday, June 19, 2008 in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home with Rev. Bob Willis officiating. Burial will follow in Hickory Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602