Helen Robey Harned Downer passed away peacefully on November 29, in Fort Collins, CO. She was 99. Born on July 1, 1922, to Dr. and Mrs. Horace Harned Sr., she grew up on the MSU campus, where she met her husband, Charlie Downer of Jackson, a student at MSU. After finishing one year at MSCW, she and Charlie married, and she joined him in his long and decorated career in the newly-established Army Air Corps. They lived in many places, including Okinawa, Japan, and raised four children.
Her survivors include her three daughters, Diane (Tony) ; Dr. Patricia ; and Cathy ; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and her brother W.V. "Winky" Harned (Marilynn) ., as well as several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband Col. Charles P. Downer; her son Lt. Col. Charles P. Downer, Jr.; her parents Dr. Horace H. Harned, Sr. and Harriet Rice Harned; and her siblings Horace H. Harned, Jr., Dr. Arthur Rice Harned, Agnes Beatrice Harned, and Ann Harned.
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery, where her remains will be interred alongside those of her husband and her son.
Memorials in her honor may be made to the Air Force Aid Society or to the Charles P. Downer, Jr. Memorial Scholarship for Aerospace Engineering majors at Mississippi State University, established in honor of her son who perished in the service of his country.
Published by Starkville Daily News from Dec. 21 to Dec. 29, 2021.
Her survivors include her three daughters, Diane (Tony) ; Dr. Patricia ; and Cathy ; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and her brother W.V. "Winky" Harned (Marilynn) ., as well as several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband Col. Charles P. Downer; her son Lt. Col. Charles P. Downer, Jr.; her parents Dr. Horace H. Harned, Sr. and Harriet Rice Harned; and her siblings Horace H. Harned, Jr., Dr. Arthur Rice Harned, Agnes Beatrice Harned, and Ann Harned.
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery, where her remains will be interred alongside those of her husband and her son.
Memorials in her honor may be made to the Air Force Aid Society or to the Charles P. Downer, Jr. Memorial Scholarship for Aerospace Engineering majors at Mississippi State University, established in honor of her son who perished in the service of his country.
Published by Starkville Daily News from Dec. 21 to Dec. 29, 2021.
Helen Robey Harned Downer passed away peacefully on November 29, in Fort Collins, CO. She was 99. Born on July 1, 1922, to Dr. and Mrs. Horace Harned Sr., she grew up on the MSU campus, where she met her husband, Charlie Downer of Jackson, a student at MSU. After finishing one year at MSCW, she and Charlie married, and she joined him in his long and decorated career in the newly-established Army Air Corps. They lived in many places, including Okinawa, Japan, and raised four children.
Her survivors include her three daughters, Diane (Tony) ; Dr. Patricia ; and Cathy ; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and her brother W.V. "Winky" Harned (Marilynn) ., as well as several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband Col. Charles P. Downer; her son Lt. Col. Charles P. Downer, Jr.; her parents Dr. Horace H. Harned, Sr. and Harriet Rice Harned; and her siblings Horace H. Harned, Jr., Dr. Arthur Rice Harned, Agnes Beatrice Harned, and Ann Harned.
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery, where her remains will be interred alongside those of her husband and her son.
Memorials in her honor may be made to the Air Force Aid Society or to the Charles P. Downer, Jr. Memorial Scholarship for Aerospace Engineering majors at Mississippi State University, established in honor of her son who perished in the service of his country.
Published by Starkville Daily News from Dec. 21 to Dec. 29, 2021.
Her survivors include her three daughters, Diane (Tony) ; Dr. Patricia ; and Cathy ; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and her brother W.V. "Winky" Harned (Marilynn) ., as well as several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband Col. Charles P. Downer; her son Lt. Col. Charles P. Downer, Jr.; her parents Dr. Horace H. Harned, Sr. and Harriet Rice Harned; and her siblings Horace H. Harned, Jr., Dr. Arthur Rice Harned, Agnes Beatrice Harned, and Ann Harned.
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery, where her remains will be interred alongside those of her husband and her son.
Memorials in her honor may be made to the Air Force Aid Society or to the Charles P. Downer, Jr. Memorial Scholarship for Aerospace Engineering majors at Mississippi State University, established in honor of her son who perished in the service of his country.
Published by Starkville Daily News from Dec. 21 to Dec. 29, 2021.
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