Sadie Downen

Sadie Downen, 76, of Bolivar, departed this life Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

The widow of Joseph Truman Downen, who died on April 29, 2020, she worked in food service at the school and left to come home after her health began to decline.  She was born Tuesday, August 27, 1946, in Hardeman County, daughter of the late Wood Thurman Doyle and Martha Elizabeth Stanley Doyle, living her whole life in Hardeman County.  She was affectionately known in the school system as the "ice cream lady" and she loved to cook and help people.  She had a "servant's heart" that was always wanting to do for others. Mrs. Downen enjoyed reading and was Baptist in faith, attending Trinity Baptist Church when she was able.

Survivors include two sons,  Russell L. Downen (Rhonda) of Jackson and Mike Downen (Laura) of Medon; a daughter, Kim Blackard (Bobby) of Bolivar; a sister, Linda Taylor of Bolivar; 12 grandchildren, Christopher Downen (Aimee), Alaina Claire Downen, Joshua McQueen, Thomas Downen (Sarah), Dillan McQueen (Kristin), Sydney Russell (Taylor), Mackenzie Keller, Gregory Diffee (Lauren), Grayson  Diffee, Brianna Blackard, Bradley Agee and Christopher Agee; and 7 great grandchildren, Danica and Colby McQueen, Jace Decker, Beckham Russell, Everett Vaughn, Everett  Diffee and Eli Agee and "one on the way".  In addition to her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Elizabeth Howell; brothers, Junior and Forrest  Doyle; and a daughter, Tracy Downen.  Memorial contributions in her name may be sent to the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org/donate).