Revelation 14:13

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ”“Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

The Lord brought David B. Downey into the world on July 6, 1926, the oldest living son to William Theo Downey and Ida Mae Franics Allen Downey in North Middletown, Kentucky. As a young man, he decided he wanted to be more than a farmer. However, World War II was still in full force and on October 13, 1944 he was drafted into the Navy. After a two-year tour, he came home in 1946 to finish high school. He re-entered the Navy in 1949.

On January 1, 1950, he married the love of his life, Nannette Gaines Downey who preceded him in death after 52 years of marriage.

As a Navy veteran, he served as a cook in World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. Once honorably discharged from the Navy in 1968, David was employed with the City of Paris Board of Education as a bus driver. He retired after 22 years.

David gave his life to Jesus Christ in 1954. He was a long-time member of Seventh Street Christian Church. During his membership, he served as a Trustee, Deacon and sang in the choir.

David was an avid bowler and shared that passion with Nannette. They were members of various bowling leagues, winning many trophies. He and Nannette also liked to root for the Atlanta Braves baseball team. Some may call him a “social butterfly” because he never seemed to know a stranger. He would strike up a conversation no matter where he was. He also seemed to never have a “down day”. He always had something positive to say.

David is preceded in death by:

His loving wife, Nannette (1924-2002)

Parents (William & Ida)

Brothers (William Edward, William Earnest, Wallace Edward, Jesse Louis)

Sisters (Nannie Elizabeth, Virginia Lucille, Margurite Walker)

Survived by his sister, Mrs. Fannie Woodford (William Chester)

Survived by his loving children:

Rebecca Mae Downey Hutchinson (George, Sr.)

Hjordis Elizabeth Downey Hammock

David Vincent Downey

Survived by his loving grandchildren:

Argerta Downey Haskins (Alonzo- deceased)

George Hutchinson, Jr. (Angela)

Carl Hutchinson (Ebony)

Yashica Larraine Scott

Erica Murray

Rhea Nannette Hammock Darden – David Downey’s “birthday twin”

Jason K. Hammock (Melisa)

Survived by his loving great grandchildren:

Chase Downey (Argerta)

Kashawn Hutchinson (George, Jr.)

Kinya Embry Wright (Emmanuel)(George Jr.)

Ariel Embry (George, Jr.)

Danielle Walters (Rhea)

Michael Darden (Rhea)

David Kelly (Yashica)

Rachel Darden (Rhea)

Tiana Hammock (Jason)

Giselle Hammock (Jason)

Jillian Hammock (Jason)

Bryanna Hutchinson (Carl)

Braylen Hutchinson (Carl)

Survived by his loving great great grandchildren

Kali Hutchinson

Noah Lewis

Kalia Hutchinson

Noy Wright

David is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews. Although every relative cannot be listed because the Downey family is a large one, we hope that each one knows that they were truly appreciated by David.

We pray a special blessing of appreciation to his friend, Mr. Albert Wess and our Uncle Chester Woodford.

There are also many friends of David who have shown their kindness over the years to him. God knows who you are and will reward you in kind.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 PM Saturday July 11, 2026, by Rev. William Garr and Rev. Dr. Morgan Gilkey at the First Christian Church, 911 High St., Paris, KY. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Memory Gardens, Paris, KY.

Visitation will be from 11:00 AM Saturday July11, 2026 until the hour of service at the Church.

Pallbearers will be Carl Hutchinson, George Hutchinson, Jr., Jason Hammock, Braylen Hutchinson, Eurich Downey, Terrence Brooks and Derek Brooks.

Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Howard, Damian Jones and Kevin Howard

The funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Lusk-McFarland Funeral Home Chapel, 1120 Main Street, Paris, KY. The online guestbook is at www.Lusk-McFarland.com and on our Facebook page.