MARY ISABEL DOWNING
July 17, 2003-Jan. 4, 2011
CLINTON -- Heaven got a whole lot brighter Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011, when God welcomed Mary Isabel Downing home, and bestowed her with her pink angel wings. She is now singing and dancing.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Ron Cava officiating. Burial will follow in McLamb Family Cemetery.
All who knew Isabel were captivated by her smile from her heart. It started shinning July 17, 2003, and had only gotten brighter. Isabel was a blessing to all of those she knew and loved. She was a second-grade student at Butler Avenue School.
She is survived by her Mommy and Daddy, Betsy McLamb and John F. Downing; her biggest fan and big sister, Katherine Louise Downing of the home; maternal grandmother, Alma Katherine Flake of Carolina Beach; maternal grandfather, Dr. Joe McLamb and maternal stepgrandmother, Jane Sasser McLamb, of Goldsboro; paternal grandmother, Mae L. Britt of Hope Mills; paternal grandfather, William F. Downing of Fayetteville; paternal great-grandfather, John W. Britt of Hope Mills; aunt, Marsha McLamb Drew of Charlotte; uncle, Gary Snyder of Jacksonville, Fla.; her caregiver, Martha Owens, of Salemburg; and her one-on-one aide, Crystal Blanchard of Clinton.
There are countless others who played an integral part in Isabel's life.
The family wishes to thank Sampson Regional ER and the University of North Carolina Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill for all they did for Isabel, and to all of those who have prayed and called.
The family will receive friends from 12 to 2 p.m. prior to the service in the church fellowship hall, and other times at her home at 5451 Five Bridge Road, Clinton, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Carolina Children's Promise, Campus Box 7220, Chapel Hill, N.C., 27599-7220, or Sampson County Civitan Club, for its special needs program, c/o Billy McDaniel, 116 Colonial Drive, Clinton, N.C., 28328.
Arrangements are being handled by Royal-Hall Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent through www.royalhallfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on January 7, 2011 1:47 PM