Arlene Murphy Downing

BONAIRE- Arlene Murphy Downing, beloved mother and master educator, who touched many lives in Houston County is no longer with us. She passed away on Friday, September 25, 2015, in the comfort of her own home. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 2, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home in Perry. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery immediately following the service. Visitation will be on Thursday, October 1, 2015, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to the Kings Chapel Elementary School Family Fund, Houston County Board of Education, 1100 Main Street, Perry, GA 31069. Arlene was born in Cambridge, MA, to the late Mr. and Mrs. John Murphy. She moved to Japan with her family for 4 years as a teenager, where she graduated from high school and began college. Arlene moved to GA upon returning to the United States. A resident of Bonaire for many years, she spent much of her time in Perry. Arlene shared the experience of living in Japan with everyone. She shared her love of Japanese culture and Siamese cats with her sons, her students, and anyone willing to listen and learn. Arlene invested nearly 40 years in elementary education. Arlene always had a soft spot in her heart for all of her students. On occasion, Arlene had the privilege to teach the child of a former student in her classroom. Teaching multiple generations of a family deeply touched her heart and gave her everlasting satisfaction. Her sons both remember meeting many former students on numerous occasions. Arlene could reconnect with a student she hadn’t seen in decades, yet remember his or her name as well as names of parents and siblings. Arlene will be remembered and revered by so many and will continue to live on forever in the hearts and minds of the many people she touched. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Nolan Colston (1972) and Lloyd Downing (1983). Left to cherish the memory of Arlene are her two sons, Jonathan Edward Downing of Bonaire and Anthony Alexander Downing (Laura Taylor) of New Orleans, LA; her beloved cats; her brothers, John Murphy (Caroline) of Mobile, AL, and Paul Murphy of Atlanta; her brothers-in-law, Damian Downing (Sharon) of Opelika, AL, and Paul Downing of Winton, CA; along with several nieces and nephews. Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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Arlene Murphy Downing

September 25, 1946 - September 25, 2015