Mrs. Rosie Mildred Downey, 95, passed away Wednesday, October 2, 2024 in Marie De Villa Senior Living Town & Country, MO
She was born on July 4, 1929 to Willie and Chung Lee in Sunflower, MS.
She met and married Joseph Downey Sr. while in college at Tennessee State in Nashville, TN and to this union two sons were born, Joseph jr. and Leslie.
She was a member of Dixwell Ave. Congregational United Church in New Haven, CT and O’Neal Chapel A.M.E. Church in Sunflower. She was very active in the community and became Sunflower City Alderman and she started the Sunflower County Freedom School.
She was preceded in death by her husband (1979), Joe; parents (Willie 1989) Chung Lee (1938); step-father, Jim Lewis; son, Leslie (2011); sister, Dorothy E. Day, (2020) and step-brother, Howard Lewis
Services
Visitation, Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 12:00 noon followed by Funeral at 1:00 p.m. at Kutis Funeral Home, 2906 Gravois Ave. St. Louis MO 63118
Her final disposition will be in Sunflower, MS at the Willing Workers Cemetery at a later day.
My deepest condolences to my cousin Joe in the loss of my best friend, auntie, sister, and confident. You are so much like your mother that you don’t even recognize. I will be there for you to help you through this!
Much love,
Sandy (Cassandra)
I have fond memories with my visits with Aunt Mildred during the family reunions. I will miss her.
I am so sorry we did not get to travel to Thailand as planned due to 9/11. However, I know you are free to go anywhere you want now. Fly high!
Rest in peace Aunt Mildred! Much love always…
Your niece – Sheryl
I worked with Mildred in New Haven. She was such a good mentor to us – what they called the kindergarten class in 1965 – at the Social Security Administration. I so fondly remember pickling Saturdays at her house around this time of year, and her famous corn bread. She was a good friend throughout the years, even after she left New Haven. She was the one who always stayed in touch with all of us, our glue. A beautiful woman, inside and out. RIP my friend.
Dear Joe,
My condolences to you in the loss of your mother. I can still see you in the driveway of your home in North Haven.
Mildred and I were lunch pals when we worked for Social Security in New Haven beginning in 1965
After she moved to Mississippi, we stayed in touch as she continued to work, then after retirement, immersed herself into the community and built her home. She was dear to me.
Now she on the other side in reunion with your father and brother. May she rest in peace.
Love and hugs,
Donna
Dear Joe,
My condolences to you on the death of your mother. Now that she is on the other side, may she be in reunion with your father and brother. May they all rest in peace.
I was a friend of your mother. We met in the 1960s when we were both working for Social Security in New Haven. After she moved to Mississippi we stayed in touch.
Love and hugs,
Donna
A true friend & mother. Whom I loved very much with all my heart. I will always cherish the time we spent together. I remember the times when she go buy a $5 fill up from K.F.C and would bring it to my store and we would it eat together. I will miss our long talks. I have learned many things from you over the years and I will remember and take those lessons everywhere that I go. The love she had for children and education will always have the greatest impact on my life. I recall when students could not afford the Freedom Project tuition and she would pay it for them. That’s the kind of woman she was giving, nurturing and full of love. The impact she has had on Sunflower and our community will always be remembered. My dear friend and mother you will be missed dearly.
Love Always,
Jeanie
Deepest condolences to the Downey family. Such a beautiful person. I had the opportunity of working with her in Tennessee and spent time visiting and talking with both Mildred and Leslie. Prayer and love again to the family.
Cousin Mildred showed much love ❤️ concern and attention to her cousin ( my mom) “Honey” several years back. I found joy in visiting Rosie at Marie DeVilla during her last 5 yrs in St. Louis. We enjoyed looking at the Ancestry Family Tree and reviewing their history 😌. Mildred usually was reading something when I came to visit. Joe was devoted to his mother to the very end; still tenderly calling her mama & adding humor. We have much family history to share and 🎊hold onto and keep moving, as she would want. Rest on dear great cousin; we celebrate your life.❤️
Great Cousin Dr. Earline Butler
St. Louis (Ballwin), MO
It is with deep sorrow to learn of Mildred having taken her final trip. Rest in peace my friend, Maybe we can share gardening in Heaven some day. I can never think of Pepe’s Pizza without remembering standing in long lines with you to share a pie. Sooo many memories, I shall cherish them all.
Joe and Cassandra
I wish you many good memories as you grieve your mom and aunt. May you make your selves familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you.