E.Q. Downing, Jr., 82, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Wednesday, February 25, 2004, at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, February 27, 2004, at the Church Of The Nazarene, Fitzgerald, Georgia with Rev. James Hubbard and Rev. Steve Hood officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 7:00 until 9:00 P.M. on Thursday evening at the funeral home.
Mr. Downing was born May 1, 1921 in Ben Hill County, Georgia to the late Elmo Quinton Downing, Sr., and Florence Swords Downing. He lived in the community most of his life and attended Fitzgerald High School. Mr. Downing was a retired merchant and former owner/operator of Foodland Grocery and ABC Used Autos. He was a member and former president of the Fitzgerald Lions Club, a member of the Toastmaster Club and Gideons International. He was a member and former Chairman of the Church Board at the Church Of The Nazarene, where he taught the Challenger Sunday School Class and was an active member of the choir.
Mr. Downing is survived by his wife: Doris Thompson Downing, Fitzgerald; son and daughter-in-law: Wayne and Shirley Downing, Fitzgerald; one daughter: Peggy Downing, Fitzgerald; two grandchildren: David King, Fitzgerald and Donna Hatcher, Leesburg; five great grandchildren; three sisters: Evelyn D. Troup, Jacksonville, FL, Mavis D. Mobley, Atlanta and Dorothy Jean D. Fuller, Fitzgerald. He was preceded in death by one brother, Lowell Downing.
Memorials may be made to the Gideons or to the Church of the Nazarene, Fitzgerald, Georgia.