Bonnie Jean Downing, 83, of Fitzgerald died peacefully Friday, January 30, 2026, at her residence.
A memorial service will be held 2 PM, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with the Rev. Blane Jacobs officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services in the chapel.
Mrs. Downing was born on May 11, 1942, in Bellevue, Pennsylvania to the late Ada Mae Whipple and Larry Wayne Pickering. She graduated from Jackson High School in Jackson Michigan in 1960. She enjoyed tennis with friends, played bridge and trivial pursuit with her group. She participated in the American Cancer Society when she was younger and spent her personal time donating and delivering toys and food from Lowell Packing Company at Christmas to the less fortunate in the community. Known as “Mimi” to her family, she loved spending summers with them at the beach. She was loving, tough and strong. She was quick to give her opinion and advice, and both will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband of over 50 years, Lowell Morris Downing Jr., her mother Ada Mae Whipple, and brother Eric Wayne Pickering. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in- law, Robert Eric & Shelli Downing of Monroe and Scott Lowell & Darchelle Downing of Fitzgerald; a daughter, Corrine Downing Gillis of Fitzgerald; grandchildren: John Wesley Griffin & Lindsey, Kristin Nicole Manis, Eric William Downing, Kaitlyn Manis & Sebastian Legarra, Wyatt Lowell Downing and Zachary Oliver Downing; great-grandsons, Liam Morris Griffin and Luca Grey Legarra; a brother-in-law, Donald Stuart Downing & Christi of Atlanta; and one niece, Mary Lowell Pettit & Gil of Atlanta.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 367, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to Dorminy Medical Center Foundation, P.O. Box 1447, Fitzgerald GA 31750.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald, is in charge of arrangements.