Preston Joseph Downs
February 17, 1932 ~ April 13, 2014
Services:
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 10:00 AM in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Mechanicsville, MD with Fr. Michael Tietjen officiating. Interment will follow in Trinity Memorial Gardens Waldorf, MD.
Visitation:
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home chapel with prayers recited at 7:00 PM.
Preston Joseph Downs,”Freeze” 82, of Mechanicsville, MD passed away on April 13, 2014 in Leonardtown, MD. He was the loving son of the late Floyd and Adelle Downs. Preston was the loving husband of the late Mary Emma Downs, whom he married in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Mechanicsville, MD on November 21, 1957, and who preceded him in death on March 20, 1975. He is also preceded in death by a brother Robert (Bobby) Downs. Preston is survived by his children; Jerry Downs, Emma Raley (Wayne), Herman Downs, (Deana), Kathy Downs, Preston Downs, Jr., (Joyce), Lee Downs, (Faye), Ronnie Downs (Sharon) all of Mechanicsville, MD and Diane Derrick (Ronnie) of South Carolina. 14 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, siblings: James (Bugs) Downs of Clements, MD, Helen Faunce, Jean Downs, & Leonard Downs all of Mechanicsville, MD.
Preston attended Margaret Brent and was a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, MD. He enjoyed his lifetime career as an auto mechanic. Preston enjoyed crabbing, making crab pots and especially eating the crabs. He enjoyed listing to his old country music; his favorites were Earnest Tub, Hank Williams, George Jones, and Johnny Cash. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his loving family.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 10:00 AM in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Mechanicsville, MD with Father Michael Tietjen officiating. Interment will follow in Trinity Memorial Gardens Waldorf, MD. Pallbearers: Kyle Downs, Corey Downs, Michael Raley, Robert Derrick, Jason Derrick, and Dale Downs. Honorary Pallbearers: Brandon Long, B.J. Lyon, Jenny Reeder, Katina Nelson, Deana Downs, Megan Lyon, Amy Dunbar, Chrissy Thomas, April Phipps, Ashley Payne, Heather Derrick and Melissa Long. Contributions may be made to the Mechanicsville Vol. Rescue Squad P.O. Box 15 Mechanicsville, MD 20659.
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“I still cant believe you are gone Pop Pop when I got the call from Mom my heart dropped I couldnt believe the best Pop Pop was gone. I wish he didn’t take you away from us but like they say God only takes the best and he knew you were tired of fightin so he took you under his wing and carried you home with him where you would be pain free. The summers are going to be different without you but I know you will be up in heaven smiling down with grandma and enjoy the summer there. Pop Pop we love you so much and you will always be remembered and never forgotten. Love you Pop Pop”
“Please accept our sincere and deepest sympathy family members, we will miss Preston.”
“Lee and Family – my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family “
“Emma, Herman and all the Family – So sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose a parent but God needed another Angel in Heaven. He will always be with you and watching over you with a smile. We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers to get through these tough days.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time . Freeze was a good man and will truly be missed ! May you R.I.P. Freeze ! You are gone but never forgotten . “
“To the Downs Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the memories you have. “
“To all of the Downs family. Preston was a good man he always had a smile. He raised his family and did a damn good job. He was always good to me and I will never forget him. God knew he had done his best on earth and thought it was time to reunite him with his beautiful Emma. Know all of you that they will both be watching over you now. God Bless you all.”
“From everyone at Howlin Concrete, Inc., to the family; “Please accept our most sincere and deepest sympathy”.”
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the Downs family. Rest in peace Preston.”
“The Downs Family, Sending sympathy and prayers.”
“My thoughts and prayers are with you Emma and your family. Hope you find comfort in knowing that he is in a much better place and is now an angel watching over you.”
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you on the loss of Preston. I can remember all of the good time our families had growing up together. He will be missed. May he Rest in Peace. “
“Sorry for your loss.”
“Emma and family – so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. May you find comfort in memories and his love that remains with each of you. With sympathy.”
“My thoughts and prayers are with you Ronnie and Sharon.PLEASE Accept our most sincere and deepest sympathy”.”
“Sorry for your loss Herman and Deana and family. “
“Emma, Cathy & Family – So sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.”
“Sissy & family- so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Preston was a good man & will be missed. Our thoughts & prayers are with you all during this difficult time. May he rest in peace. God Bless You All.”
“Sending thoughts and prayers and our Deepest Sympathy to the Downs Family Your Father now is at peace with God May he bless your Family now and through the year “
“So sorry to hear. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.”
“Such sad news to hear of his death. He was a character to work with while at smnc. He will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this sad time. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Preston’s family during this most difficult time of life, loosing a family member. May God watch over and comfort you. “
“To the Downs family. I am so sorry to hear of your fathers passing. He was a good person and father. I have some fond memories of your family being neighbors in Mechanicsville. Sincere condolences to the entire family. May he rest in peace now.”
“Sorry for the loss of your father, we will keep the family in our thoughts and prayers.”
“To the Downs family, as all of you know “Freeze” and I were very close friends, I will also miss him. “Old Cuz””
“Herman, Deana, Kyle, Korey, and the entire Downs family. We are so sorry for your loss. Please accept our deepest sympathy.”
“Deepest Sympathy Herman, Deana, Kyle , Korey, Jerry, Poodie, Stink, Ronnie , Diane ,Sissie, Lee and families. May your memories help to ease your pain.”
“So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers to the Downs family.”
“Prayers and condolences to the family. “
“To the Downs Family, We are saddened by your loss.We have many fond memories during the family times together. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.”
“Emma and family, I am so sorry to hear of your fathers passing. it is never easy to loose a parent but you will always have your memories that will keep him with you each and everyday. he will be right by your side helping you through this. you and your family will be in our prayers”
“Jerry very sorry to hear about your Father. May the comfort of your family help you get thru this time. “
“To the Downs Family sorry to hear of the passing of Preston. God saw he was tired of fightin so he took him home he is with the angles now and at peace. Preston and Ricky with be up in heaven talking about all the good times they had years ago and will be smiling down on us. My thoughs and prayers are with you. “
“To the Downs Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the memories you have in your heart. You are all in my prayers.”
” Our thoughts and prayers are with the Downs family.”
“Preston and Joyce, My thoughts are with you.”
“To the Down’s Family Our thoughts and Prayers are with you all. We are so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. May he rest in peace.”
“Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers… “
“My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family. Your dad was a very nice man.”