Velma Downs

Velma Joy Downs, 86, passed away quietly surrounded by her family on Thursday, May 3, 2012. Joy was born November 16, 1925 to Lloyd C. Tom Bumpas and his wife, Cliffie Weatherred Bumpas in Ford County, Texas. She met the love of her life, George Willis Downs in Farmersville, Texas. They married in October, 1945. To their union was born two children, Glynda and her brother, Ronald. Joy dedicated her life to her family as a homemaker and wife. And she had other pursuits as well. She was competent seamstress; an avid gardener and a passionate cook. Joy was famous for her yeast butter horn rolls and German Chocolate cake. And no one could leave her house with eating something and drinking a glass of iced tea. Joy was a longtime member of the Peniel Baptist Church. There she taught Childrens Sunday School for over twenty years and loved her fellow members as part of her family. Joy is preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Cliffie; her beloved George; her brother Lloyd Bumpas and her sister Maggie Box. Those left to celebrate her life include her daughter, Glynda Cantrell; her son, Ronald Downs; her six grandchildren, Matthew Cantrell, Elena Hardaway, Elisha Hardaway, Georgeann Simpson, Gregory Downs and Melissa Downs; eight great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Hers is a smile that will truly be missed. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at Memoryland Memorial Park at 10 a.m.