Harvey Osborne "Buddy" Downs

Harvey O. "Buddy" Downs, Jr., 72, husband of Holley Downs, died Monday, April 3, 2017.

Born in Athens on December 17, 1944, he was the son of the late Harvey O. Downs, Sr. and Lizzie Lou Dickens Downs. Buddy was a lifelong resident of Oconee County. He graduated from Oconee County High School in 1962 and The University of Georgia in 1968. He retired from Benson's Old Home Kitchen after 20+ years, and he and his wife Holley later opened Downs Preschool in 1984 and retired in 2005. Buddy served on the Oconee County Tax Assessors Board for 25 years and as chairman for 10 years.

Buddy is survived by his wife, Holley, three children: Lisa Downs (Glenn) Henry of Watkinsville, Trey (Gabriela) Downs of Eastville, Jordan (Ashley) Downs of Bishop; grandchildren: Christopher (Tiffany) Bannister, Cory (Catherine) Henry, Casey Henry, Avery Downs, Emily Downs, Raphael Jimenez, Raquel Jimenez, Veronica Jimenez and Peyton Downs and two great grandchildren: Dakota and Blakely Bannister.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 3PM at Lord & Stephens West Chapel with Rev. Tommy Cochran officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 until 3. Interment will follow at Oconee Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation, 248 E. Chestnut Hill Road, Suite 4, Newark, DE 19713 or ESP, PO Box 615, Watkinsville, GA 30677.

Lord & Stephens West is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com