Janet Whitney Downing

Janet Whitney Downing was born in Monroe, LA on August 24, 1946, and departed this world on January 9, 2022 after a brief illness at St. Francis Hospital in Monroe, LA.

Jan grew up on Dixie St. in South Monroe. She spent her early years of education at Lida Benton Elementary and Barkdull Faulk Elementary before graduating from Ouachita Parish High School. She attended Northeast Louisiana University before taking a job in New Orleans as a switchboard operator for South Central Bell.

New Orleans always held a special place in her heart throughout her life. From carnival season to the great food, it was a place she often reminisced about over the years with her children and grandchildren.

Upon returning to Monroe, LA, she met the love of her life, William Ronald “Ron” Downing, who would be her husband for 51 years until his passing this past September 21, 2021 at the age of 74.

She would continue working in customer service at Montgomery Wards until having her children, Clinton and Sarah. It was at this time that she nourished and influenced them as a devoted stay at home mom.

Jan spent each summer making refreshments at Vacation Bible School for many years at Ridge Avenue Baptist Church. As they started school, she also became the room mother for each of them at Highland Elementary taking care of holiday parties, easter egg hunts and field trips. It is through church and school that she became a mother figure to many children out of her love, kindness, and generosity.

That very passion for inclusion of all children, led her to becoming a substitute teacher for the Ouachita Parish School System until 1983. She made many lifelong friends in those classrooms and teachers lounges. Many children and teachers remained in contact with her over the past 40 years.

In 1983, she left teaching to help open R. Downing Ltd. Flowers and Antiques in West Monroe, LA, which remained open for 32 years until 2015.

In her spare time, Jan and Ron loved shopping for antiques in Natchez, MS, New Orleans, LA and Jefferson, Texas with their children Clinton and Sarah, and grandchildren Paul and Garrett. Those trips built many great memories for them all.
Jan also enjoyed her close friends very much as a member of the Quota Club of Monroe and the Septiem Book Club. She was also very involved with the Ouachita Council on Aging assisting with their Fall Bazaar each year and making her mother’s amazing pimento cheese recipe for concessions.

Jan had a love for people beyond age, race, economic status, or beliefs. Her heart was bigger than most. She did so much for others in need without making it an issue. It was her cause and purpose on this Earth. She was a caretaker for so many over the years. She made sure to instill this in her children and grandchildren.

For the remaining five years of her life, she took care of her blind and ailing, husband Ron before his passing. She made him comfortable in their home. That is just how big of a heart she possessed.

One of the greatest joys in her life was her, great grandson, Jaxon, who brightened her life with his laughter and love. She loved him with all her heart. She also adored her granddaughter-in-law, Christina Monroe Downing, who helped her out over the past few years of her life keeping her house a home. She was especially grateful for her grandsons, Paul William Downing and Garrett Waller Watley, who have helped her over the past few years taking her places and caring for her. They were the biggest piece of her heart.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William Ronald “Ron” Downing; her parents, Edwin Olin Whitney, Jr. and Mary Francis Hondelink Whitney; father-in-law, William “Chick” Otis Downing, Jr.; brother in laws, Dr. George Thomas Bowling and Capt. Glen Gorton, USMC. She is also reunited with her mother-in-law, Beverly Jean Endom Downing, who passed just three days after on January 13, 2022.

She is survived by her son, Clinton Whitney Downing; daughter, Sarah Downing Watley and husband, Ricky; grandsons, Paul William Downing and wife, Christina, Garrett Waller Watley; great grandson, Jaxon Cole Downing; sister, Nannette Whitney Gorton, sister-in-law, Beverly Downing Bowling; nephews, Seth Gorton and wife Crissy Daven, Trey Bowling and wife Crystal, Brad Bowling and wife Tori; nieces, Megan Gorton Richmond and husband B. J., Kristina Bowling Peters and husband Jared; great nephews, Titus Gorton, Gaven Richmond, Cole Bowling, Thomas Bowling, Matthew Peters; great nieces, Kieron Richmond, Maddie Bowling, Ella Bowling, and Lucy Peters. She is also survived by her sweet rescue dog, Luna Downing, who kept her company the past few years and brought her joy.

Graveside services will take place on Friday, January 21, 2022, at the Old Monroe City Cemetery on DeSiard Street in Downtown Monroe under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe. Lifelong friend, Joe Watts, will officiate the service with a eulogy by her son, Clinton Whitney Downing. A Celebration of Life will take place at his antique shop, Revival Design, at 300 Walnut Street from 4pm-7pm to visit with family and friends.

Jan’s family would like to express their gratitude to the doctors and nurses of the St. Francis Hospital’s ICU Covid wing from all they did to allow her to leave this world peacefully.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Pilots for Patients, The Ouachita Council on Aging, SOS Pets, or The Children’s Coaliton.