ROBERT MELVIN "BOBBY" DOWNING

Robert Melvin “Bobby” Downing, age 68, of Donalsonville, GA passed away Sunday, June 24, 2018. Funeral services for Mr. Downing will be held on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 3:00 PM at First Church of the Nazarene in Donalsonville, GA with Rev. Eric Boomer and Rev. Scott Messer officiating.  Interment will follow in Friendship Cemetery with Randy Herndon, Jerry Herndon, Dr. H.E. Breckenridge, III, Randy King, Alan Pearce, Larry Thomas, Edward Whittaker, and Ronny Shingler serving as active casketbearers and Billy Shingler, Eugene Adams, Dr. Ryan Shingler, Benny Hodges, Chris Whittaker, Mark Whittaker, and Ken McLendon serving as honorary casketbearers.  Visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM the day of the service.  Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to First Church of the Nazarene PO Box 466 Donalsonville, GA 39845. Mr. Downing was born in Tampa, FL on October 24, 1949 to Cleon Downing and Mary Helon Herndon Downing.  He attended Bainbridge Junior College, North Florida Junior College, and Valdosta State College.  He graduated with a degree in Marketing and Management from Valdosta Tech.  Mr. Downing was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed riding and observing nature.  He was a member of Friendship United Methodist Church and attended First Church of the Nazarene in Donalsonville where he taught Sunday School. Mr. Downing retired from Sony Magnetic Products where he worked as a supervisor. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Peggy Thomas Downing of Donalsonville, GA; his sons, Chad Downing of Donalsonville, GA, Brad Downing and his wife Erin of Jackson, GA, and Blake Downing and his wife Ashley of Donalsonville, GA; as well as his grandchildren, Brantley Downing, Baylor Downing, Paxton Downing, Barrett Downing, Brock Downing, and Kaleigh Downing. Mr. Downing was preceded in death by his parents, Cleon and Mary Helon Downing. Arrangements entrusted to Evans-Skipper Funeral Home.