William Blake Downs

William Blake Downs, a resident of County Road 46, Abbeville, died Thursday night, July 5, 2012, at his home. He was 28.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Saturday, July 7, 2012, in the Holman-Abbeville Mortuary Chapel with Reverend Randall Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Ebenezer Cemetery in the Wesley Community. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 3:00 P.M. Saturday at the mortuary in Abbeville. At other times, the family will be at the home of his father, Bruce Downs, 3605 County Road 46, Abbeville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ava and Mason Downs Education Fund, c/o Stacey Swords, 102 Hicks Drive, Columbia, AL. 36319.

Blake Downs was a lifelong resident of the Wesley Community of Henry County. He was a graduate of Abbeville Christian Academy and was a member of the Pine Level Baptist Church, near Blue Springs. Blake was preceded in death by his grandparents, Walter Fred Joiner and Janie Mae Howerton Joiner and his step-grandmother, Lurleen Downs.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Riann Carroll Downs, a daughter, Ava Downs, a son, Mason Downs, his father, Bruce Downs and wife, Paula, his mother, Susan Sitzler and husband, Mike, all of Abbeville; four sisters, Stacey Swords and husband, Mark, Columbia; Emily Downs, Megan Key and Elizabeth Sitzler, all of Abbeville; a brother, Anthony Sitzler, Abbeville; Grandmother, Betty Jean Hagler and husband, Gene, Blue Springs; Grandfather, Rufus Downs and wife, Sue, Abbeville; several nieces and nephews including two special nieces, Jaylynn Swords and Lilly Grace Swords.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Kevin Bass, Rodney Dansby, Chase Bass, Jason Hartzog, Anthony Siztler and Joey Hughes.