Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Carroll County for Mr. John William “Pete” Downs Jr., 78, who died on Sunday, April 10, at his residence. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors. The Rev. Leon Holly will officiate. Visitation will be held from noon until service time on Thursday, April 14, at the church.
Mr. Downs was born on April 25, 1943, in Carroll County, the son of John William and Judson Nellie Mann Downs. He was a retired employee of Heatcraft in Grenada and was a member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church for more than 50 years where he served as an honorary deacon. He was a United States Marine Corp veteran of Vietnam, a member of American Legion Post 52 in Winona and a member of the VFW in Grenada. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.
His parents and daughter, Debra Lynn Hooks, preceded Mr. Downs in death.
Survivors include, his wife of 58 years, Linda James Downs of Elliott; son, John W. “Petey” Downs III (Betty Sue) of Lafayette, Tenn.; sisters, Judy Tullos (Jimmy) of Carrollton and Kathy Herbert (Terry) of McCarley; brothers, Rayburn Downs (Sharon) of Richland, Mo., and Harmon Downs of Carrollton; four grandchildren; four great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Wounded Warrior Project at P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS. 66675-8516 or online at www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.ofhwinona.com
Oliver Funeral Home of Winona is in charge of arrangements.
