Rose Marie Downing was born on November 17, 1939 to parents Amos and Frances Valencia. She entered into eternal rest on February 13, 2021. Rose was born and raised in Oxnard, California and on New Year’s Eve 1957, at the USO, she met the love of her life, William L. Downing who was serving in the Navy SeeBees at the time. In November of that same year they became Mr. and Mrs. Downing and lived a beautiful 63 years of holy matrimony. By the age of 23 they had 4 children. Rose worked at a little place called “The Shack” owned by William’s family, in Redding, California before they moved to Oregon. They spent time in Banks, Oregon where William worked for PIE for 23 years and they also had an 80 acre farm in Ontario, Oregon. They then moved on to Maple Valley, Washington and lived there for 30 years, raising their beautiful family. In 2006 they decided to move south and headed to Texas, where they have been for the last 15 years. Rose was a dedicated and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Her love for her savior Jesus Christ could be seen in her everyday life and the way she loved and cared for others. Rose was a kind and generous woman and loved her family more than anything on this earth. She was well loved and will be truly missed.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Amos and Frances Valencia; sisters, Loretta and Michelle Valencia. She is survived by her beloved husband William Downing; daughters, Debbie Norman and husband Steve, Cindy Compton and husband Gary, Brenda Severied and husband Martin; son, Wayne Downing and wife Velma; siblings, Chris Valencia and wife Chisu, Fran Valencia, Diana Pace, Lorraine Bisset and husband Dave; as well as 11 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Rose also leaves behind many other loved ones and lifelong friends.
