David B. Downey

Revelation 14:13
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ”“Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

The Lord brought David B. Downey into the world on July 6, the oldest living son to William Theo Downey and Ida Mae Franics Allen Downey in North Middletown, Kentucky. As a young man, he decided he wanted to be more than a farmer. However, World War II was still in full force and on Oct. 13, 1944 he was drafted into the Navy. After a two-year tour, he came home in 1946 to finish high school. He re-entered the Navy in 1949.
On Jan. 1, 1950, he married the love of his life, Nannette Gaines Downey who preceded him in death after 52 years of marriage.
As a Navy veteran, he served as a cook in World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. Once honorably discharged from the Navy in 1968, David was employed with the City of Paris Board of Education as a bus driver. He retired after 22 years.
David gave his life to Jesus Christ in 1954. He was a long-time member of Seventh Street Christian Church. During his membership, he served as a Trustee, Deacon and sang in the choir.
David was an avid bowler and shared that passion with Nannette. They were members of various bowling leagues, winning many trophies. He and Nannette also liked to root for the Atlanta Braves baseball team. Some may call him a “social butterfly” because he never seemed to know a stranger. He would strike up a conversation no matter where he was. He also seemed to never have a “down day”. He always had something positive to say.
David was preceded in death by his loving wife, Nannette (1924-2002); parents William & Ida; brothers William Edward, William Earnest, Wallace Edward and Jesse Louis; sisters Nannie Elizabeth, Virginia Lucille and Margurite Walker.
Survivors include his sister, Mrs. Fannie Woodford (William Chester); children Rebecca Mae Downey Hutchinson (George, Sr.), Hjordis Elizabeth Downey Hammock and David Vincent Downey; loving grandchildren, Argerta Downey Haskins (Alonzo- deceased), George Hutchinson, Jr. (Angela), Carl Hutchinson (Ebony), Yashica Knowyarole Scott, Erica Murray, Rhea Nannette Hammock Darden, and David Downey’s “birthday twin”, Jason K. Hammock (Melisa); great-grandchildren: Chase Downey (Argerta), Kashawn Hutchinson (George, Jr.), Kinya Embry Wright (Emmanuel)(George Jr.), Ariel Embry (George, Jr.), Danielle Walters (Rhea), Michael Darden (Rhea), David Scott (Yashica), Rachel Darden (Rhea), Tiana Hammock (Jason), Giselle Hammock (Jason), Jillian Hammock (Jason), Bryanna Hutchinson (Carl) and Braylen Hutchinson (Carl); and great-great-grandchildren, Kali Hutchinson, Noah Lewis, Kalia Hutchinson and Noy Wright.
David is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews. Although every relative cannot be listed because the Downey family is a large one, we hope that each one knows that they were truly appreciated by David.
We pray a special blessing of appreciation to his friend, Mr. Albert Wess and our Uncle Chester Woodford.
There are also many friends of David who have shown their kindness over the years to him. God knows who you are and will reward you in kind.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m., Saturday July 11 by Rev. William Garr and Rev. Dr. Morgan Gilkey at the First Christian Church, 911 High St., Paris. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Memory Gardens, Paris.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m., Saturday July11 until the hour of service at the Church.
Pallbearers will be Carl Hutchinson, George Hutchinson, Jr., Jason Hammock, Braylen Hutchinson, Damian Jones, Terrence Brooks and Derek Brooks.
The funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Lusk-McFarland Funeral Home Chapel, 1120 Main St., Paris. The online guestbook is at www.Lusk-McFarland.com.