Newbern, TN
October 10, 2013
Ernie Murphy Downing,Sr., 82 of Hornbeak, Tennessee died on Wednesday, October 9, 2013, at his residence in Hornbeak, Tennessee
Born Wednesday, July 15, 1931 in Shelby County, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Ernest Layfette Downing and the late Mamie Murphy Downing.
Mr. Downing graduated in 1956 from Memphis State College with a Bachelor of Science Degree. While at Memphis State he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.
After college he joined the United States Navy and was honorably discharge in 1958. He returned to Memphis and in 1961 he completed his training with the Memphis Police Academy.
He then returned to Memphis State where in 1968 he graduated from the Memphis State University School of Law with a Juris Doctor Degree. During this time he was a member of the Sigma Delta Kappa National Legal Aid and Defender Association of the the Law School at Memphis State. In 1972 he received a life membership with the National Rifle Association.
In 1978 he was appointed as a Colonel Aide de Camp to the State of Tennessee Governor's Staff. With twenty six years of service in 1994 he retired from Fidelity and Deposit of Maryland as claims manager and Attorney for the company. He was a member of the America Legion Post # 174, Mason and member of the Hornbeak Church of Christ.
Funeral services will be Saturday at 5:00 in the Chapel of Johnson-Williams Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Newbern, Tennessee. Visitation will be Saturday from 3:00 PM until service time.
He is survived by his wife of thirty nine years, Doris Swims Downing of Hornbeak, Tennessee and one son, Ernie Murphy Downing, Jr.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Downing and two sisters, Virgie Hopper Hall and Leola Stroup.
Pallbearers will be Louis Lemenze, Randy Golden, Steve Fowlkes, Greg Swims, Andy Swims, Justin Norton, Chauncy Dew and Justin Golden.
Online condolences may be made to the family at johnson-williamsfuneralhome.com.
Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ernie Murphy Downing.
Newbern, TN
October 10, 2013
Ernie Murphy Downing,Sr., 82 of Hornbeak, Tennessee died on Wednesday, October 9, 2013, at his residence in Hornbeak, Tennessee
Born Wednesday, July 15, 1931 in Shelby County, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Ernest Layfette Downing and the late Mamie Murphy Downing.
Mr. Downing graduated in 1956 from Memphis State College with a Bachelor of Science Degree. While at Memphis State he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.
After college he joined the United States Navy and was honorably discharge in 1958. He returned to Memphis and in 1961 he completed his training with the Memphis Police Academy.
He then returned to Memphis State where in 1968 he graduated from the Memphis State University School of Law with a Juris Doctor Degree. During this time he was a member of the Sigma Delta Kappa National Legal Aid and Defender Association of the the Law School at Memphis State. In 1972 he received a life membership with the National Rifle Association.
In 1978 he was appointed as a Colonel Aide de Camp to the State of Tennessee Governor's Staff. With twenty six years of service in 1994 he retired from Fidelity and Deposit of Maryland as claims manager and Attorney for the company. He was a member of the America Legion Post # 174, Mason and member of the Hornbeak Church of Christ.
Funeral services will be Saturday at 5:00 in the Chapel of Johnson-Williams Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Newbern, Tennessee. Visitation will be Saturday from 3:00 PM until service time.
He is survived by his wife of thirty nine years, Doris Swims Downing of Hornbeak, Tennessee and one son, Ernie Murphy Downing, Jr.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Downing and two sisters, Virgie Hopper Hall and Leola Stroup.
Pallbearers will be Louis Lemenze, Randy Golden, Steve Fowlkes, Greg Swims, Andy Swims, Justin Norton, Chauncy Dew and Justin Golden.
Online condolences may be made to the family at johnson-williamsfuneralhome.com.
Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ernie Murphy Downing.
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