Beverly Jean Downing

Beverly Jean Downing went home to be with her Lord and Savior on January 13, 2022, at the age of 97. Jean was a devoted and loyal wife, a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Jean was born in Monroe, LA, on December 8, 1924; however, her mother always told her she was born on December 6, so she would celebrate twice a year.

Jean spent her younger days in Monroe and loved riding her bike with her dog in the bike basket around town visiting with everyone and spending time at the Swayze natatorium located at Forsythe Park. She is a graduate of Ouachita Parish High School. She moved to California with her sister who was a riveter at the aircraft factory where Jean would work as a secretary to aid in the war effort during WWII. One day while she was walking down the street in San Diego, she heard a familiar voice call out, “Oh, Jean.” It was her fellow classmate, W.O. (Chick) Downing, who she married on December 31, 1943 and spent over fifty-two years with the love of her life.

Her family and her church played a very special part of her life. She was a member of Ridge Avenue Baptist Church for many years and later became an active member of First Baptist Church. During her time at First Baptist she was a member of Bill Norris’s Sunday School Class, a greeter for the worship services, and a participant in many Senior Adult activities and trips. Jean was known as the “Pie Lady” because of her love for making pies for new members of the church and for all the staff members on their birthdays.

You could always catch Jean “on the go”, she had a love of traveling not only with family but also with her friends and multiple travel groups. When her friends were no longer able to drive, Jean started a carpool group to take them to all of their friend group activities together.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William Otis “Chick” Downing, Jr.; parents, Walter and Aline Endom; son, William Ronald “Ron” Downing and wife, Janet Whitney Downing; son-in-law, Dr. George Thomas “Tommy” Bowling; sister, Arlease Lee and husband, Jack.

She is survived by her daughter, Beverly Downing Bowling; grandchildren, Clinton Whitney Downing, Sarah Downing Watley (Ricky), Trey Bowling (Crystal), Brad Bowling (Tori), Kristina Bowling Peters (Jared); great grandchildren, Paul Downing (Christina), Garrett Watley, Cole Bowling, Matthew Peters, Ella Bowling, Thomas Bowling, Maddie Bowling, and Lucy Peters; great-great grandchild, Jaxon Downing.

Visitation will take place at Mulhearn Funeral Home in West Monroe at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, January 23, 2022, with funeral services at 3:00 P.M. Senior Adult Minister, Dr. Woods Watson, will officiate. Graveside will follow at Hasley Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers at Jean’s request are Tommy Comeaux, Jessie Fulmer, Dave Howard, Tim McIlveene, Tom Peters, and Rob Smith.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the Staff at Ridgecrest Community Care Center for their care over the last few years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jason Paul Cameron Foundation P.O. Box 2474 West Monroe, Louisiana 71294-2474 in memory of Beverly Jean Downing.

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