Roy E Downs

Roy E Downs, of Merigold, passed away on December 2nd, at North Sunflower Medical Center in Ruleville.  Visitation will be 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Ray Funeral Home in Cleveland, MS.  Celebration of Life Service will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at Linn Baptist Cemetery. Pallbearers are: David Ray Jr., Allen Hood, Dustin Irby, Cameron Clark, Mason Moore, and Bobby Irby Jr. Honorary pallbearers are BJ Irby land RJ Clark.

 

Roy was born on August 20, 1940, in Shaw, Mississippi, to Enoch and Veoma Downs. 

Throughout his life Roy worked as a mechanic, truck driver, and farmer before starting his own business selling car parts. Roy had a knack for fixing things and figuring out how they worked. 

Roy loved his country and  served  in the U.S. Army. 

 

Roy had many hobbies such as gardening,and tinkering with motors. He enjoyed buying and selling tomatoes in the summertime. Roy embraced technology and taught himself how to use computers and smartphones. He was a simple man, who appreciated and cherished a simple life. He enjoyed helping others and never met a stranger. 

 

Roy was preceded in death by his loving parents, Enoch and Veoma Downs; daughters, Mary Ann Hogue and Peggy Reed; sons, David Ray and William Earl Ray; brothers Alfred Downs, Marvin Downs, James Downs, Donald Downs, and William Downs; sisters Doll Downs, Christine Downs Sibley, and Roxy Mae Downs Bonom; as well as his grandchild Becky Lynn Light.

 

Those left to cherish Roy's memory include his beloved wife Edith Downs; sons, Roy Downs Jr., Randy Downs, Bobby Downs, Billy Downs, and Butch Ray; daughter, Peggy Light; sister Ann Downs Chapman; grandchildren: Tammie Light Alred, Denise Triplett and husband John, Danny Light Jr.and wife Stephanie, Jonathan Light, Alex Light and wife Melissa, Samantha Light, Sandra Patterson and husband Marcus, Timothy Downs, Jamie Irby and husband BJ, Wendy Clark and husband RJ, Emily Mooreand husband Mason, David Ray Jr and fiance Haley, Sonya Storey and husband Sam, Allen Hood and wife Tabatha,  Johnny Armstrong and wife Donna, and Jeffrey Armstrong and wife Jessica. He leaves a multitude of great grandchildren and great great grandchildren as well as a multitude of extended family members. 

 

Roy E Downs will always be remembered for his strength, steadfastness in hard work, and unwavering commitment to his loved ones. His legacy will endure in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him. May he find eternal peace in the embrace of heaven's grace.