Janis M. Downing(August 20, 1952 - May 15, 2011) |
|---|
 Janis M. Downing passed away Sunday, May 15, 2011. She was born August 20, 1952 in Tacoma, WA and lived numerous places growing up as part of a military family. She graduated from Central Regional High School in Ocean County, NJ in 1970 and from Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ in 1974 with a B.A. degree in French and English. She later earned a M.Ed. degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK. Janis taught reading at the Guthrie Job Corps Center and was employed by the Guthrie Public School System in 1976. She taught French and English at Guthrie High School for many years and was currently the Librarian at Guthrie Junior High School. In these capacities, she helped shape the lives of numerous students over the years and was a friend and mentor to many fellow educators who will miss her dearly.Janis married David Downing February 28, 1976 in Guthrie, OK. To this union were born three children, Paul, Meredith, and Blake Downing. Janis was never failing in her love, devotion, and strength of character in raising her family. Her passing leaves a deep void in all their hearts. She was preceded in death by one sister Bobby Hutton. She is survived by her parents Les and Gail Wilson of Palmer, AK; husband David of the home in Edmond, and children Paul Downing of Philadelphia, PA, Meredith Downing of Oklahoma City, OK, and Blake Downing of the home in Edmond. Also surviving are sister Karen Gutmaker and husband Neil, brother Mark Wilson and wife Kathy, nieces Emily Bushey and husband Danny and Shelby Hutton, nephews Mark Wilson and wife Jamie, Colby Wilson, Evan Ramsey and wife Nicole, and Michael Hutton, great-nieces and nephews Alli and Ryan Bushey, Avery and Logan Wilson, and Kingston Ramsey, and numerous other relatives. Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, May 19, 2011 at the First United Presbyterian Church, Guthrie with Dr. Dennis E. Clark of the First Christian Church, Guthrie officiating. Services are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, Guthrie. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Guthrie Junior High Library Fund, Account #825, 802 East Vilas, Guthrie, OK 73044. |