Ida Marie Downing

Ida Marie Downing, 74, Temple, OK

Funeral Service at the Church of Christ, Temple, OK, Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 1:00 p.m., Dr. John Edmerson officiating. Interment in the Temple Cemetery under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters. Visitation at Noon prior to the service.

Viewing at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters on Thursday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Ida Maire Miles Downing was born July 22, 1949, in Hoffman, Oklahoma, to the late N D Miles and Alma McClellan Henry. She departed this life on January 25, 2024, into the arms of the God who loves unconditionally. Ida obeyed the gospel in her young adult life and was baptized under the preaching ministry of her oldest brother, Dr. John W. Edmerson of Cincinnati, Ohio, and became a member of the Church of Christ.

Ida attended Temple Public School District in Temple, Oklahoma, where she enjoyed playing basketball. She began her early employment working for the Hagger Slack factory and later transitioned to Goodyear, Inc., where she retired from a long tenure.

In 1994, due to the passing of her mother, Ida became the matriarch of her family. She was stern but loving and gracefully demanded respect in a way that only she could.

Ida was the second of ten children and older of two girls. Five of her siblings preceded her in death: Matthew Simmons, Raymond Miles, Frank Lewis, Mack Jr. Simmons, and Diane Johnson. Her beloved son Bobby Carr also preceded her in death.  

Ida leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Paul Downing, and two young adult children, Antwon Carr and wife Sylvia, and LaRhonda Donnatien and husband Clinton; brothers John W. Edmerson, N. D. Miles, Lewis Miles, and Lonzell Lewis; grandchildren Ashley Carter, Michael Carr, Eric Bell and wife Letitia, Erica Bell, and Alisha Donnatien; and great-grandchildren Malikeh Williams, Amirhya Bell, Tye’Ree Bell, Izaye Bell, E’Syiah Bell, Jose Garcia, and Le’vias Bell; and a host of other relatives, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Ida will be DEEPLY missed!

Ida was devoted to her children and grandchildren. She loved spending time in the company of all her family, and spent her retirement years taking care of her beloved great-grandson, Jose Garcia. She loved taking him to school and to sports activities and playing educational games with him.