Obituary of Jouett Francis Downs

Walterboro—A graveside service for Jouett Francis Downs, 82, formerly of Lexington, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 5, 2013 in Ft. Jackson National Cemetery. Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington will be assisting the family. Mr. Downs, beloved husband of 34 years to Ellen Branham Downs, passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2013. Born in Columbia, he was a son of the late J. C. Downs and Frances Hathcock Downs. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy where he received the National Defense Service Ribbon, Korean Medal, United Nation Medal and China Service Medal. One of his many passions was boating on Lake Murray; he was a Mason as well as a Shriner and was known as a great "Shagger" while on the dance floor. He worked for a number of years in food sales and he had a natural talent to lend his skills in the plumbing business. Surviving are his daughters, Connie Downs White (Gary), Sherry Carroll (Dean) and Debbie Sosa; son, Rusty Downs; son-in-law, Colonel Robert Lee Manning; special nephew, Tommy Downs, as well as other nephews and nieces; grandchildren, Marty, Guy and David White, Jessica Johnson (David), Kimberly Shackleford (Michael), Matthew Carroll, Melissa Manning, Alex Manning and Justin, Matthew, Meggan and Andrew Downs; six great-grandchildren; those who preceded him in death, daughter, Tena Manning, grandson, Brandon Boyd, sister, Mildred Long and brothers, J.C. Wade and Gene Downs. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer Association, 3223 Sunset Blvd., Ste. 100, West Columbia, SC 29169.