Edna Downs

Edna Downs
March 7, 1935 – Jan. 19, 2021
Edna M. Simmons Downs, 85, of McComb, died Jan. 19, 2021, at Southwest Medical Center in McComb.
Born March 7, 1935, in McComb, she was the daughter of the late Horace Simmons and Sarah James Simmons. She attended St. James Primary School, and later Rose Hill Secondary School. She relocated in Chicago in 1951 with her parents and married Eugene Downs in Chicago on Jan. 19, 1952. From this union one child was born.
In Chicago, Mrs. Downs worked in department stores, intially as a floor clerk and soon as a manager. She operated York’s, one of Chicago’s largest department stores. She and her husband later relocated back to Mississippi, where she took care of him during his lengthy illness over 17 years.
She continued to manage the Emphasis Department Store in McComb after her return in 1992.
She joined Pleasant Grove MB Church in her youth and attended Mt. Calvary MB Church in Chicago before returning to Mississippi where she reunited with her family church.
She was preceded in death by her husband and son Eddie.
Survivors are her three grandchildren: Trina Downs, Eddie Eugene Downs, Jr., and Ebony Downs-Bidding; five great grandchildren; one sister, Sarah McGowan.
A graveside service was Jan. 27, 2021, at Pink Hill MBC Cemetery with Rev. Hilton Harrell rendering the eulogy and officiating.
Washington Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.