Connie R. Downs, 71, of Granite City, Illinois passed away at 9:50 p.m. on Friday, December 27, 2024, at her home with her family at her side. She was born July 21, 1953, in Granite City, the daughter of the late Russell and Betty (Buckingham) Richardson. She married David Wayne Downs on July 31, 1977, at the Second Baptist Church in Granite City and he passed away on April 13, 2018.
She loved her many years working as a pre-school teacher at Holy Family Learning Center. She was a longtime member of Second Baptist Church and enjoyed attending Johnson Road Baptist Church. Connie loved volunteering at the church, days of shopping, hosting parties and always looked forward to family dinners. She cherished her children and grandchildren and will be remembered for the love and special times shared with them. She is survived by three children, Dawn Downs of Granite City, Nick Downs of Granite City and Samantha (Timothy) Hildebrand of Granite City; eight grandchildren, Kristan Biggs, Ryan (Natalie) Baker, Miranda (Gabriel) Baker, Ashli (Matthew) Hupp, Heidi Hildebrand, Zeidyn Hildebrand, Greyson Hildebrand and Leia Hildebrand; five great grandchildren, Austan Copeland, Driftan Williams, Jace Ojeda, Rory Ulrich and Delaney Baker; a brother, Eugene (Karen) Richardson of Bartlett, Tennessee; other extended family and many friends. In addition to her beloved husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a great grandson, Eastan Williams.
In celebration of her life, visitation will be at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City on Sunday, January 5, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. where funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 6, 2025, with Pastor Randy Vollmar officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon. Memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children and may be accepted at the funeral chapel. www.irwinchapel.com
