David Melvin Downing

Funeral services will be at 10:00am Friday, July 8, 2011, at Rocky Head Baptist Church with Reverends Ron Jackson, Joe Underwood and Paul McMonagle officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with full military honors and Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home directing. Visitation with the family will be Thursday, July 7, 2011, from 5:00 until 8:00pm at the funeral home.

Mr. Downing was born October 23, 1928 in Coffee County to James Issac and Ferrell Willoughby Downing. He retired from the U.S.Army with a rank of E-8 after 21 years of service which included the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Mr. Downing was a member at Rocky Head Baptist Church where he was a Deacon and Sunday School teacher. Mr. Downing was also employed with Vivian B. Adams for 30 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and the mother of his children, Nell Downing and a son, Keith Downing.

Mr. Downing is survived by his wife, Helen Downing of Ariton; daughters, Debra Petrey (George) of Dothan, Pam Noblett (Richard) of Cullman, AL; sons, Danny Downing (Janey) of Dothan, Randy Downing (Eileen) of Dothan, David Downing (Melony) of Enterprise and Jeff Downing (Angela) of Ariton; sister, Kathy Cole of Ariton; brother, Landon Downing of Hartford; eleven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; niece, Brenda Lewis of Ariton and nephews, Ricky Austin of Ozark and Brent Austin of Enterprise.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the Fellowship Sunday School Class of Rocky Head Baptist Church.

Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home in Ozark (334) 774-4551 is in charge of the arrangements. Member of the Dignity Memorial Network. Condolences may be offered at www.fuquabankston.com.