Doris Downs

Doris Lucille Estes Downs, 92, of Sparta, Tennessee, went to be with the Lord on July 26, 2019.

Mrs. Downs was born on August 27, 1926, in McCracken County, Kentucky, to Arthus Estes, Sr. and Euple Thweatt Estes Shelby.  She was preceded in death by her brother, Billy N. Estes, and by Joe E. Downs, her husband of 56 years.

Most of her younger years were spent in Michigan or in and around Paducah, Kentucky.  It was in Paducah that she met Joe Earl Downs, who would become her husband on November 26, 1948.  Throughout her life, she was well-read, plainspoken, sharp minded, and tirelessly faithful to her Christian faith.  She was a remarkable Bible scholar.  She loved to sew, knit, crochet, and decorate cakes.  She also read all the time and never missed the TV show Jeopardy or an Atlanta Braves baseball game.  In her early career, she worked with some of the earliest computing machines for Van Dyne Crotty Corporation in Dayton, Ohio.  At the age of 91, she retired from H & R Block after preparing taxes for 31 years.  She was a dedicated  member of the Cumberland Heights Church of Christ.

Survivors include her son, Douglas Alan Downs (Margaret); three grandchildren, David Downs of Cookeville, TN, Lyndsay Thompson (Kevin) of Brentwood, TN, and Jonathan Downs (Natalie) in Cookeville, TN; four great grandchildren, Tyler Downs, Hayley Villareal, Tierra Downs, and Abby Grace Overton; and a great, great grandchild, Alonnah Margaret Downs.  She is also survived by her brother, Arthur Estes, Jr., of New Bern, NC, as well as a host of nephews, nieces, friends, and her Christian brothers and sisters.

Arrangements:

The family will receive friends on Monday, July 29, 2019, at Cumberland Heights Church of Christ in Sparta, TN from 4:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at Cumberland Heights Church of Christ in Sparta 11:00 am officiating will be Bro. Butch Bess. Interment will follow in the newly christened Cumberland Heights Cemetery on adjacent church property. Pallbearers: David Downs, Jonathan Downs, Gabe Villareal, Ricky Overton, Tyler Downs and Derick Bilbrey.

Thurman Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements. Please sign our guest book at Thurmanfuneral.com