June Wilson Downs

Mrs. June Wilson Downs, age 86, of Hope, Arkansas passed away Monday, December 12, 2016. Mrs. Downs was born January 1, 1930 in Spring Hill, Arkansas to Ben and Mary Atkins Wilson. She was the first baby born in Hempstead County in the year 1930. Mrs. Downs received a bachelor's and master's degree from Henderson State Teachers College (HSU). She taught in the Hope Public Schools for 36 years as a teacher and then Principal for Garland Elementary School. After her retirement, she volunteered at the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce. She was the first female member of the Hope Rotary Club and was a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow award. Mrs. Downs was a 50-year member of the Hope Eastern Star. She was a lifelong member of the Spring Hill United Methodist Church where she played the piano for 58 years after having started as a teenager. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 62 years, Mr. Earl Downs. She is survived by her son, Ben Downs and wife Lillian of Bryan, Texas, daughter Juneanne Price and husband Ron of Hope, Ark.; grandchildren, Benjamin Davis Downs, Jr. and wife Tavanh of Corpus Christi, Texas, Hunter Price and wife Kristin of Hope, Ark., Allyson Hanson and husband Mitch of Hope, Ark., and Mary Downs of Birmingham, Ala.; great-grandchildren Sophia Downs, Scott Downs, Sean Downs and Trace Price. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home in Hope. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home with Rev. Ron Eldridge officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Hope. Arrangements are by Brazzel/Oakcrest The Funeral Home of Hope, Eddie Brazzel, Director. Online guestbook: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com.