Joe Downs

Funeral services for Joe Ed Downs, age 83, of Paducah, will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 22, 2009, at Reidland United Methodist Church with the Rev. Sky McCracken officiating. Burial will follow in the Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Mr. Downs died Monday, October 19, 2009, at 8:55 p.m. at the Oakview Nursing and Rehab Center. Born in Murray, Kentucky, Mr. Downs was a U.S. Army veteran of World War ll. He retired as owner of Ed Downs and Son Inc. A devoted member of the Reidland United Methodist Church, Mr. Downs was instrumental in the design and construction of the church's present sanctuary. His masonry work can be seen in such places as Whitehaven, a number of the buildings on Murray State University campus as well as many other area homes and facilities. Mr. Downs was an avid golfer and a member of Masonic Lodge No. 737 at Sharpe, KY. Mr. Downs is survived by his wife of 61 years, Donna Parrish Downs; 2 daughters, Kay Robertson and her husband Fred of Paducah and Cathy Thompson and her husband Greg of Morristown, TN. He is also survived by 2 granddaughters, Ellie Amador and her husband Darren of Knoxville, TN and Megan Robertson of Bloomington, Indiana. He was preceded in death by 3 sisters. His parents were Edward and Iolene Miller Downs. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Reidland United Methodist Church, 5515 Reidland Rd., Paducah, Ky. 42003; or the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter, Kaden Tower, 6100 Dutchmans LN Ste 401, Louisville, Ky. 40205-3284. Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at the Milner and Orr Funeral Home of Paducah, and from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 22, 2009, at the Reidland United Methodist Church. You may light a candle or leave a message of comfort at milnerandorr.com.