of Little Rock, AR
August 11, 1938 - October 27, 2020
Phyllis Adrian ''Pat'' Downing. 82, went to be with the Lord October 27, 2020. She was born August 11, 1938 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Theo and Helen Taylor.
Mother was an entrepreneur who showed her family how to love and to work hard! She loved to travel, she was creative and ambitious, and she loved people! She was passionate about life and loved her family well! She loved God and Jesus and wanted each of her loved ones to do so as well.
Raising five children in a single parent home, she worked for the Arkansas Department of Education, Special Edu. Dept until her children were grown. She then decided to get her CDL license and go ''on the road.'' She then drove cost to cost for twelve years, and for a time had her own truck. After retiring from ''trucking'' she owned a gas station, CB's Lounge in Levy and The Golden Nugget Lounge in West Little Rock. She also attained her Real Estate & Broker license and had Downing Realty. She bought and sold real estate for some time and helped each of her children into our first home.
When her mother became more dependent upon her, Pat moved in with her mother and began ''Antiques and Crafts.'' She had booths at Carrie's and Fabulous Finds and began driving a school bus for PCSSD. Around the age of 65 she retired, leaving her to only manage her one rent house and one triplex until she passed from this life. Whew!
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Rusty Downing, grandson Roger Runnells and great grandson Connor Runnells. Pat is survived by her four children, Eddie Stancil Sr. (Donalyn); Terrie Runnells (Alan); Janice Strama (Jeff); and Debbie McLelland (Tim), and daughter-in-law Barbara Downing, and thirteen grandchildren; Leslie Kastern (Roman), Eddie Stancil (Toi), and Samuel Lollar; Travis Runnells, Christy Pettis (Steve), Carson Runnells (Tiera) and Amber Bumpus; Zack Martin and Lindsey Riedmueller (Daniel), and Justina Strama; Tiffany Martzall (Jeremy), Shannon Downing and Brant Downing (Shaina); and twenty-eight great grandchildren: Briana & Victoria Stancil and Roman & Ryan Kastern; Stephen & Taylor Pettis; Jaden Jones; Matthew Brown, Gabriel, Victoria, Genesis, Elizabeth, Eden Runnells, Vidallia Baxter, Dahlia Burnett & Mark Runnells; Lilium Fitzgerald & Olivia Bumpus; Clair & Kate Riedmueller and Nathaniel Finn; Jade & Aarya Martzall; Ayden & Brody Downing & Colby Morris-Downing; Hayes & Maverick Downing (and one in the oven!), and one great-great granddaughter: Demi Simpson (Stancil).
Visitation will be held Friday November 6, 2020 at 12:30PM in the chapel of Roller Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 Interstate 30. Funeral services will follow at 1:30PM.
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19 Condolence(s)
Nick Hatcher
Sunday, October 2, 2022
Hello Pat say hello to my Mother your best friend for 67 years you were a second Mother to me .I miss you.
My Mom told me once you Pat and my Mother Emily had a bet who would die first she said it was a dollar you won Pat by 7 months . y'all talked everyday and still are taking everyday that's what friends do beautiful see y'all one day
Deb Jones
Friday, November 6, 2020
Dear cousins, as you say goodbye to your precious mom, I pray you will find comfort and peace in knowing she has no more pain or disease. She is with her Lord. What a strong woman who lived life passionately! You are blessed indeed to call her mother and grandmother! So sorry I could not be with you today but
I am with you in spirit. Love to you all.
Edward Stancil
Thursday, November 5, 2020
I Miss You Mom I Remember Talking To You For The Last Time You Told Me I Was Your Baby . I Guess Being The First Born Son Mind Rest In Peace .And Say Hi To Grandmother And Grandad And Rusty For Me .
Bobbie Riffle
Thursday, November 5, 2020
I worked with Pat for a few years at the Dept. of Education and we became friends. I will never forget our trip to Mexico; I still laugh about that. I am glad to read that you got saved; hopefully we can renew our friendship in heaven. I lost touch with you and did not know you were ill; I wish I had known so I could have come visited with you. You were always talking about your family; and I know they meant the world to you--and what a large family you had! Blessed to have so many grandchildren and great grandchildren. I will also remember your jovial attitude and that you never seemed to meet a stranger. You should be having a great time now.
Alan Runnells
Thursday, November 5, 2020
Mema, you are one incredibly woman, thank you for giving birth to the love of my life. Thank you for excepting me into your family and being more than a Mother n Law. You called me Son and I always felt that way. I loved our two road trips to Florida and when no one thought you could make it up the stairs you walked right up them nothing was going to keep you from hearing Rust sing. The last encouraging word you said to me was I love you to the moon and back. Thank you for your words of love and care even when you were recliner bound.
Karen and Lance Hatcher
Thursday, November 5, 2020
Ours hearts, thoughts and Prayers are with you. We loved Pat dearly. Pat was like a second Mom to Lance and she became a part of my life in 1993. I will always remember her smile, laughter and kindness to everyone who met her.
Jerome Brown
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
So sorry for you loss. God’s grace will get you through your bereavement doing the coming days and replace your sadness with joyful memories. Wow, what a blessed lifeðŸ™ðŸ½
Adelle Shemwell
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
To Pat’s Family: I was stunned to learn of your Mother’s home going.
I knew your Mom when y’all were attending 12th Street. She was close friends of Mary Jenkins who lived next door. I recently saw her again when she came to Heritage Baptist on Stagecoach Rd. I did not know Rusty had passed away. She was a beautiful lady and funny. My memories of her will not be forgotten. I was impressed with her entropenourship. She is amazing. God rest her soul. Enjoy your new adventure in heaven Pat. So glad you got saved at 12th St. Hugs
Adelle
Mary OConnor
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Praying for all of her family. She seemed so very kind and supportive to her family. I am so sorry for your loss
Janelle Martin
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Pat, we were blessed to have known you , we often talk about the fun times with you especially at the races we always had a lot of laughs around you, and we never have forgotten the Golden Nugget playing pool throwing darts !!! You will be truly missed !!!!!!
Chad and Michelle Hogue
Monday, November 2, 2020
Pat, “Memawâ€, I was so blessed to know you. We will really miss you and your sweet spirit.
Much Love!
Chad Hogue and family
Donalyn Maudelle Stancil
Monday, November 2, 2020
Guardian Angel 😇 in Heaven 🌈 who once was an Angel 😇 Among Us in this world 🌠your earthly 🌠home 🡠could never compare to the Mansion 🡠in Heaven 🌈 You are also in the arms of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour 🧔💔➕â£ï¸ðŸŒˆ and after you see Jesus, Rusty, your Best Friend of forty years who you went to St. Mary's Catholic School 🫠🧔💔➕💖🌈 with and your other loved ones. I know that my Grandparents, Best Friend Laura and Dad & my Brother will want to see you and Thank you! Oh How Beautiful Heaven 🌈 Must Be.
Patsy Hammond
Sunday, November 1, 2020
I knew Pat as a young secretary with the Title I office. I learned many things from her. We lost touch when she left the ADE. Will always have fond memories of her.
Rick Runnells
Sunday, November 1, 2020
WHAT AN AMAZING LADY! Truly a wonderful person who was so dedicated to her family. I am going to miss her smile, her kindness and her humor. What a life she lived! With all sincerity, the song, “My Way†was written specifically for her...
Without doubt, she has many, many, well earned stars in her crown. I love you Pat. I will see you again.
Laura Ebbing
Saturday, October 31, 2020
Pat Downing was beautiful inside and out. She was more of a friend than a great aunt. We used to talk for hours and critique the nurses in the nursing homes when she got ill. What a beautiful child of God she was.
Terrie Runnells
Saturday, October 31, 2020
Oh, Mama, how I love you and miss you so much. With each fall (6) for the past 15 months you heard me pray for your healing, and then I'd say, "Mama, you and I know that you can't live [here] forever but I'm going to keep on asking." My prayers were answered, in God's way, because he took you home to live with Him forever. I do have this hope in me- that I will see you again in eternity. You're in my heart and memories. Remembering your fortitude and love for life and family will give me strength to press on! I have been loved and blessed by you!
Tiffany Martzall
Saturday, October 31, 2020
I can't describe how I feel about losing this wonderful lady and grandma. She meant the world to me. My favorite memories are going on trips truck driving around and helping her pick out her precious items to sell. I didn't see her all the time like my cousins did but when she did her famous 'gulf coast turn around' I had so much fun. I learned a lot from Mema. She had her moments but, I loved her SO MUCH. I'm so glad we all had a great time that weekend with my dad, Rusty Downing. They had a great time. I remember when he walked into the condo to see all his siblings. Then went into the room to see his Mom. That whole weekend was filled with memories. That was only a flicker of time age. Now Mema can see him again. I know they both will watch over us til we see them again. I'm blessed to be able to make it back to Arkansas for her service.
Debbie
Saturday, October 31, 2020
Oh mom... words can not Express the way our hearts feel now.. we new you had to go but we were just not ready. I love you so much and I know you are very well taken care of now. Please continue to watch over us. I love you to pieces ( as I always said to you)I miss you!
Jean Black
Saturday, October 31, 2020
Peace and prayers for you and your family. May she rest in peace.