William Jerry Downs

Obituary WILLIAM JERRY DOWNS William Jerry Downs was born on August 11, 1946 in St. Louis, MO to Pearline Downs and William Winslow as one of 6 siblings: Harold, Mary, Herman, Helen and Nelson. He received his education in the St. Louis Public School System. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the 101st Airborne Division in Infantry Operations. During his service he received a Bronze Star Medal from the President of the United States and an Army Commendation Medal from the Secretary of the Army. He afterwards served in the Army Reserve Unit. He began working for the U.S. Government in 1970 and worked for General Services Administration, Immigration and Naturalization Services and Department of Homeland Security and finally took mandatory retirement in August 2003. He was also an active member of other military organizations: The Veterans of Foreign War, Trench Rats and was active upon his death as a member of Disabled American Veterans. Shortly after retirement, he began attending Faith Bible College and eventually received 2 Doctorate Degrees in Theology and Counseling. He later began teaching at college and had begun teaching this past semester in September 2018 before he was hospitalized. He was looking forward to getting back to the class. On September 8, 1979, he married Eartherline Bell and remained in that union for 39 years until his death. From this union, he had two daughters, Pearline and Pamela. Prior to his union with Eartherline, Jerry had a son, David Ross. He accepted Christ at an early age. He became a committed member of Community Praise Worship and World Outreach Center under the leadership of the late Pastor Clifford W. Bell. He continued to faithfully serve and support in leadership with his wife, Pastor Eartherline Downs until the very hour of his departure from this earthly life. Jerry made his glorious transition on December 6, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents; 1 brother, Herman Downs; 1 sister, Mary Downs and 1 grandson, Cameron Hardy, Jr. Left behind to cherish his memories are his wife, Eartherline Downs; 2 daughters: Pearline Hardy (Cameron) Florissant, MO; Pamela Downs (Kansas City, MO); 1 son, David Ross (Oklahoma); 4 grandchildren, Gabriel Ross, Shiloh Hardy, Shermar Hardy, and Shakar Hardy. He also leaves 2 brothers, Harold Downs, (Gloria); Nelson Downs; 1 sister, Helen Downs; a god-mother and god-brother, Lois and Richard Clements; and a cousin, Charles Barge (Deloris); all from St. Louis, MO. He also leaves a host of friends, in-laws, nieces and nephews, as well as his church family. We will all miss you Jerry. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at Blue Hills Church OF The Nazarene 10306 Blue Ridge Blvd. KCMO 64110. Visitation 10:00 A.M. Private Disposition. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of William Jerry Downs, please visit our Tree Store. Read More

William Jerry Downs

August 11, 1946 - December 6, 2018