Mrs. Downs graduated from Ponce de Leon High School in 1949 and worked as a dental assistant for two years. In 1951 she entered Georgia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1954.
Joan met Dr. Posey E. Downs, Jr. at Georgia Baptist Hospital, and they were married on June 3, 1954. They raised four daughters, Lou Ann Dick of Austin, TX, Lorene Hawes of Matthews, NC, Jan Rutter of Davie, FL, and Susan Kornegay of Huntersville, NC. She is also survived by six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Dr. Downs preceded her in death in 2011.
A funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 30, 2012 in the Chapel of Providence Baptist Church, 4921 Randolph Rd., Charlotte. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday evening at Harry & Bryant Company, 500 Providence Rd., Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Charlotte Rescue Mission, 907 West 1st St., Charlotte, NC 28202.
