Laura Melinda Downing
Graveside services for Laura Melinda Downing, 91, Blue Springs, Missouri, formerly of West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 19, 2014, at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Downing died at 4:59 p.m., Sunday, June 15, 2014, at Waterford Ladies Home, Blue Springs, Missouri, where she resided for the past four and a half years.
She was born December 5, 1922, at Bakersfield, Missouri, to Bernie Hayes and Elma Stiner Hayes. She attended schools at Bakersfield, Missouri, and on August 10, 1940, was married at Bakersfield, Missouri, to Carl Russell Downing, who preceded her in death on May 21, 1993. She was a homemaker and moved to Blue Springs, Missouri eight years ago to be near her family. Mrs. Downing was a member for over fifty years at Victory Family Worship Center, West Plains, Missouri.
She is survived by two children, Harold Keith Downing, wife, Donna, North Kansas City, Missouri and Sharon O’Hara, husband, Lyle, Blue Springs, Missouri; five grandchildren, Deborah Whiles, husband Wayne, Overland Park, Kansas, Cynthia Hochstatter, husband, Mark, Independence, Missouri, Kent Wright, Mission, Kansas, Lesa Watson, husband, Mike, Lee’s Summit, Missouri and Sean Downing, wife, Jessie, Kansas City North, Missouri; eight great-grandchildren, Austin Whiles, Ryan Whiles, Ashley Henson, Michael Henson, Morgan Watson, Ryleigh Watson, Erica Downing and Brooke Downing; and one great-great-grandchild, Tucker Henson; one step-grandchild, Whisper Sparkman; two sisters, Betty Jo McGoldrick, West Plains, Missouri and Janice Grisham, Dora, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Janice Hayes, Caulfield, Missouri; two brothers-in-law, Lewis Callahan, West Plains, Missouri and Rubein Lair, Parkville, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.
Her parents, husband, five brothers, Junior, Cecil, Wayne, Bobby and Jimmy Hayes and four sisters, Pansy Callahan, Rosie Lair, Inez Cotter and Fern Rennels, precede her in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice , and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Lesa Watson
June 16, 2014 @ 8:46 pm
I will love you and miss you everyday my beloved grandmother. You now dance in the heavens with my papa and I will most assured see you again.
Thank you for everything….
Love you always…
Trin Hayes Wilson
June 17, 2014 @ 10:38 am
So sorry for your loss. She was such a kind hearted person and I will always remember hearing her laugh. She laughed with all of her soul and body. I will never forget how she loved to be surrounded by pretty things and how Uncle Carl had to keep adding on to make room for them all. Now she is in the prettiest place of all and I am sure she is admiring the view. I wish that I could be in town to see everyone but you will be in my thoughts now and esp on Thursday. It will be a bittersweet day. No more tears in Heaven.
Rhonda Blevins
June 17, 2014 @ 1:29 pm
I loved her so. I miss her laughter. I remember how her and her sisters went shopping and uncle Carl went bird hunting with daddy. she is no longer in any pain or sorrow. she will be joined by Carl and family and our Lord. all of you are in my heart and thoughts. Love to all of you.
Rex Hayes
June 17, 2014 @ 11:49 pm
She will be missed very badly I am Danny Robert Hayes son I love you all and i miss you all and i am sorry that i cant be there i live in New Jersey now and give aunt betty hugs and kisses for me.
Carrie Patillo Thompson
June 18, 2014 @ 5:18 pm
Harold and Sharon, thinking of you, my old high school friends. I’m sorry for your loss. I’ve been there as we lost our mother five years ago when she was 91. Doesn’t matter how old they are its still sorrowful to say goodbye. They knew each other in this life and can visit again in heaven. Thinking of you and your family. Carrie
Evelyn and Phil Lewis
June 19, 2014 @ 2:50 pm
what a special lady, she will be missed by so many people.
Evelyn and Phil Lewis
Barbara Downing Foster
June 27, 2014 @ 3:31 pm
The loss of ones mother is difficult. She was the last of Grandpa Johnny and Maw Maw Sophia’s children. I will always remember Harold Keith and Sharon Kay as the eldest of THE cousins and how much I admire you. May your memories give you peace. My heart is with you. Barbie