Helen (Shelburne) Downing

Helen Shelburne Downing, 86, widow of the late Bobby Burns Downing, died Friday October 2, 2020 at the Bourbon Heights Nursing Home, Paris, KY.

She was born in Evansville, IN to the late James Edward Shelburne, Jr. and the late Mary Genevieve Watkins Shelburne.

She was a retired piano teacher, having started teaching at the age of 17. She was a pianist, organist and music director at several area churches. She was also the Past President of the Christian Women’s Club, was a member of the First Baptist Church and a member of the Morning Mission Action Group.

She is survived by two children, Robert Reese (Kathy) Downing and Denise (Al) Plowman; four grandchildren, Nathan Giles, Karen (Seth) Poteat, Adam Downing and Kristen Downing; six great grandchildren, Reese Giles, Madox Downing, Zane Downing, Jude Poteat, Leighton Poteat and Mia Downing; two sisters, Jean Patton and Dianne Gossett (Harbourt); two sister-in-laws, Betty Shelburne and Jean Shelburne and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was also preceded in death by two brothers, James Edward Shelburne III and Harold Shelburne and two sisters, Genevieve Minor and Jane Sharon.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Thursday October 8, 2020 at the Lusk-McFarland Funeral Home, 1120 Main St., by Rev. Kyle Sullivan. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Memory Gardens, Paris, KY. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM Wednesday October 7, 2020 at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Seth Poteat, Keith Shelburne, Nathan Giles, Adam Downing, Glenn Sharon and Bill Patton.
Honorary pallbearers will be David and Geraldine McMillen.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 916 Main St., Paris, KY 40361 or to the First Baptist Church Music Program.
The funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Lusk-McFarland Funeral Home, 1120 Main St., Paris, KY.

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