March 6, 1930 – Jan. 12, 2013

NATCHEZ — Graveside services for Frances Oakes Downer, 82, of Natchez, who died Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Midway Cemetery in Vaiden.

Burial will follow under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation and a celebration of her life will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home. The Rev. John Kramer will share prayers of thanksgiving at 4:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mrs. Downer was born March 6, 1930, in Natchez, the daughter of Albert Jackson Oakes and Annie Mae Raper Oakes. Shortly after her birth, the family relocated to Durant where she made her home until she and her husband, George Earl Downer Sr., moved back to Natchez where they lived and raised their family for a number of years. She was a lifelong Methodist and a member of Jefferson Street United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Downer was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one daughter, Evelyn Downer Joyner; five brothers; and two sisters.

Survivors include one daughter, Diane Laird and husband, Dicky, of Natchez; one son, George E. Downer Jr. of Hawaii; one son-in-law, Robert E. Joyner and wife, Nancy, of Madison; three grandsons, Robert “Bobby” A. Joyner and wife, Jackie, of Los Angeles, Dan R. Joyner and wife, Amy, of Madison and Dixon Laird and wife, Sally, of Amory; five great-granddaughters, Skylar Raley Joyner, Ella Evelyn Joyner, Ruby Corynne Laird, Lucy Kathryn Laird and Sophie Elizabeth Laird; one sister, Irene O. Alexander of Water Valley; three brothers, Jack A. Oakes Jr. of Zionsville, Ind., Lewis Tom Oakes of Jacksonville, Fla., and Bob Oakes and wife, Ada, of Fowler, Colo.; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and loving extended family.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bert “Skip” Brassell Jr., Kenny Boyd, Bryant Reed and Luke Schoffield.

Memorials may be sent to Jefferson Street United Methodist Church or to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.