1931
Eddris
2016
Eddris Downs
July 18, 1931 — November 4, 2016
It was a hot summer Saturday on July 18, 1931, in Magnolia Mississippi that the first male child of Ernest and Leona (Dawson) Downs; William Downs would be born. He was the second of ten beautiful children born to this union . In this Deep South their joy would flourish to the point that he would later rename himself EDDRIS, because he did not like the name William; and would always be called by his nickname of "BILL".As many would have difficulty with the spelling and pronunciation of EDDRIS.
Bill was educated I attended school in Mississippi (Tan Creek School). He would later meet the "Apple of His Eye" (Irene Tate). They would marry and bring to birth their first born (Rickey R). Bill would be whisked away to Dallas, Texas by his Uncle Jr (Ezra Dawson) for a job opportunity. He would leave his homestead to acquire his lifelong employment in Texas with Wm. H. LaDew, Inc (1955-1994). Later, he would return to Mississippi only to gather his small family and bring them to Texas. Additional children, two daughters and a son (Debra D, Michael L, & Bridget L) would be born to this union; after his relocation to Texas. His early retirement years would be filled with entertaining young children as a Crossing Guard for the Dallas Independent School Distrist .
Bill would celebrate his belief in God by first uniting with Allen's Chapel Baptist Church (1964) and relocating I uniting (1972) with Griggs Chapel Missionary Baptist Church; both in Dallas, Texas.
God would bless Bill with enough longevity to enjoy a five generation lineage, along with a multitude of "God-sent" children.
Eddris (Bill) has waiting on the other side of the river: his parents (Ernest I Leona), two sisters (Ernestine I Norma Dean), a brother (Jerry "PeeWee"), and his eldest son (Rickey R).
His love ones giving him his "See You Later" from this side of the river:
• Siblings- five brothers and one sister: Ralph, Thomas, Ray, Charles, Novell, and Hazel (along with spouses)
• Irene (wife-62 yrs), two daughters (Debra & Bridget), a son (Michael)
• 3rd generation lineage; six grandchildren (along with spouses)
• 4th generation lineage; 17great grandchildren (along with spouses)
• 5th generation lineage; three great great grandchildren
• A host I multitude of "God-sent" children (too numerous to list individually)
• Nieces, nephews , uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends
Bill was educated I attended school in Mississippi (Tan Creek School). He would later meet the "Apple of His Eye" (Irene Tate). They would marry and bring to birth their first born (Rickey R). Bill would be whisked away to Dallas, Texas by his Uncle Jr (Ezra Dawson) for a job opportunity. He would leave his homestead to acquire his lifelong employment in Texas with Wm. H. LaDew, Inc (1955-1994). Later, he would return to Mississippi only to gather his small family and bring them to Texas. Additional children, two daughters and a son (Debra D, Michael L, & Bridget L) would be born to this union; after his relocation to Texas. His early retirement years would be filled with entertaining young children as a Crossing Guard for the Dallas Independent School Distrist .
Bill would celebrate his belief in God by first uniting with Allen's Chapel Baptist Church (1964) and relocating I uniting (1972) with Griggs Chapel Missionary Baptist Church; both in Dallas, Texas.
God would bless Bill with enough longevity to enjoy a five generation lineage, along with a multitude of "God-sent" children.
Eddris (Bill) has waiting on the other side of the river: his parents (Ernest I Leona), two sisters (Ernestine I Norma Dean), a brother (Jerry "PeeWee"), and his eldest son (Rickey R).
His love ones giving him his "See You Later" from this side of the river:
• Siblings- five brothers and one sister: Ralph, Thomas, Ray, Charles, Novell, and Hazel (along with spouses)
• Irene (wife-62 yrs), two daughters (Debra & Bridget), a son (Michael)
• 3rd generation lineage; six grandchildren (along with spouses)
• 4th generation lineage; 17great grandchildren (along with spouses)
• 5th generation lineage; three great great grandchildren
• A host I multitude of "God-sent" children (too numerous to list individually)
• Nieces, nephews , uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends
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