Daphnia Lorene Downs

Daphnia Lorene Downs, 81, of Chicota, passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2019, with her husband by her side. Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 6th, at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with Bro. David Ballard officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Daphnia, the daughter of Gordon Ray Gibson & Eunice Lorene Vickers Gibson, was born Aug. 16, 1937, in Minter, Texas. She graduated from East Lamar High School, Paris Junior College, and received her Bachelor’s degree from East Texas State University in Home Economics. Later she received her Master’s degree in Counseling.

Daphnia began her career in education at Chicota Schools teaching Homemaking. In 1973, she became the counselor at Prairiland High School where she remained until 2001. In 2003, she joined the Paris Independent School District as a counselor where she worked until 2013.

Mrs. Downs touched and influenced the lives of thousands of students during her forty year career in education.

She was a member of the Lamar-Delta Retired Teachers Association.

Her parents and two brothers, Tommy Glenn Gibson and Robert Ray Gibson preceded her in death.

Survivors include her husband, Sam Downs, whom she married on Nov. 24, 1960, building fifty-eight years of family and memories, one son, Downy Downs & wife Missi of Paris, grandchildren; Dara Downs Williams & husband Zac of Dallas and Dace Downs & wife Carmen of New Braunfels, sisters-in-law & brother-in-law; Sue Gibson, Nancy Ann Spiriti, Nickey Sain and Wendell O’Dea Downs & wife Wanda, several nieces & nephews including a very special niece, Annette Bangs along with a plethora of friends.

The family would like to extend appreciation to Susan Leddy and Brandy Bowerman who helped care for Daphnia, the staff of Heritage House of Paris for their special attention, and On Call Hospice for their compassion and care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, apdaparkinson.org.