Preston Joseph "Freeze" Downs

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.