Anne Marie McGugan Downing

Our loving mother Anne Marie went to be with Jesus on April 5, 2014 after a brief illness. Anne Marie was born in Smithfield, NC on June 17, 1929 to Layton Marcus and Annie Marie McGugan. She is preceded in death by her husband Dennis "Mort" Carlyle Downing, her precious parents and her five brothers.

Mama grew up in Fayetteville, N C during the years of WWII. Her talent and love for musical theatre led her to be a part of an entertainment group that performed for our brave troops.

She met and married the love of her life, a handsome farm boy from Cedar Creek, Mort Downing. They made their home in Raleigh where they were charter members of Trinity Baptist Church. A diehard Wolfpack fan, Anne worked 22 years at North Carolina State University.

Surviving Anne Marie are her children, Caran Jones; Diane and husband Barry Johnson; Melissa and husband Mark Sherman; Dennis and wife Brenda Downing; Bill Downing; and Mary Jean and husband Greg Edmundson. She also leaves behind eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchilren.

The family will receive friends at 1 pm on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, N.C. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 pm at Raleigh Memorial Park next door.

In lieu of flowers, Anne requests memorials be made to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, N.C., 27607 or Trinity Baptist Church Building Fund, 4815 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, N.C. 27607.