Laurie Downey

Laurie Lynn Downey, our heart and our cornerstone, was called home to Jesus on August 4, 2026.

Laurie was born in Heidelberg, Germany, on May 24, 1961. She graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1982, and on September 25 of that same year, she married the love of her life, Ron Downey. Together, they built a life and raised four children, spending nearly 44 years side by side—a testament to their love and God’s lovingkindness.

Through much of her adulthood, Laurie invested her time, her energy, and her heart in loving people the way Jesus does. She served as a teacher, mentor, counselor, and friend both within and outside her church home. She carried that same dedication into a 15-year career in mortgage lending, where she was known and loved for her integrity and compassionate leadership. In her work, her ministry, and in her every day, serving others was woven into the fabric of who she was.

Laurie gave freely and without question - reminding us time and again that God, in his Goodness, always provides. She listened without judgment, shared wisdom when it was needed, and offered forgiveness when it was least deserved. She was revered for her boundless grace and immeasurable kindness, and friends of her children often regarded her as a second mother — a role she cherished with profound humility. Laurie was effortlessly fun. She was playful and mischievous, at times hiding pinecones in Ron’s pillowcase or surprising him with the occasional “gentle” poke from a safety pin.

Laurie fiercely loved her family. Her greatest pride was her children, at least, until she became Gigi (or Gaga). Her kids often joked that she loved her grandbabies more than she loved them—and Laurie did little to convince them otherwise. Her four precious grandbabies were among the greatest joys of her life. The love she poured into her family lives on through them.

Equal to her tenderness and grace, Laurie was a force to be reckoned with. She was tenacious and resilient, her faith absolute. Throughout her life, she met hardship with courage, resolve, and a strength that inspired everyone around her. As she battled cancer, she remained anchored in the hope she found in Jesus, glorifying Him in all things. Laurie’s life is a portrait of the declaration found in 2 Timothy 4:7: she fought the good fight, she finished the course, she kept the faith.

Though our hearts are broken, we are comforted by the promise of eternity in Heaven. We hold fast to the hope that one day we will be reunited with our beloved Laurie—healed and made whole, forever in the presence of Jesus.

Her earthly journey is complete, but her love, her faith, and her legacy will remain forever.

Laurie was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Dolores Hensley; her brother, Danny Hensley; and her niece, Kalynn Hensley.

She is survived by her husband, Ron Downey; their four children, Christopher (Shannan) Downey, Caley (Kyle) Pepper, Kristyn Downey, and Kaitlyn Downey; her four beloved grandchildren, Brylee Downey, Corbin Downey, Brady Pepper and Avalynn Pepper; her siblings, Chuck (Terry) Hensley, Karla (Steve) Florhaug, Cheryl (Steve) Carroll, and Tommy (Julie) Hensley; as well as many cherished in-laws nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Those who wish to honor Laurie’s battle with pancreatic cancer may consider making a donation to pancreatic cancer research through the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) or the Lustgarten Foundation.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, 5725 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX 76034, on August 14, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.