Faye Warren Downs

Faye Warren Downs of Houston, TX died peacefully on October 4, 2014 at the age of 97. Born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana on January 17, 1917 to George and Bertha Shiffer, Faye had one older brother, Maynard, who was a pediatrician for many years in Salem, OR. She was an accomplished pianist and was valedictorian of her high school senior class. After attending the University of Chicago, she came south at the urging of her uncle in Dallas and his offer to pay her tuition at the University of Texas in Austin. She graduated with a degree in Home Economics, and this is where she met her first husband, Bill Warren. After Bill’s service in the Navy during WWII, and the resumption of his pre-war civil engineering job with Phillips Petroleum, the couple settled in Bellaire, TX where they raised three children. In addition to being an excellent homemaker, Faye taught fourth grade for nine years in the Houston school district. She was also a Girl Scout leader and active member of Bellaire Presbyterian Church. Faye was always willing to help out when needed, and in her capable hands one always knew that whatever the task, it would be done well. Following Bill’s untimely death at the age of 48, Faye married George Downs, Jr. of Bartlesville, OK in 1967. Both families warmly received and cherished George and Faye’s union. Until George’s death in 1996, they had many happy years together during which they enjoyed traveling, golfing and socializing with their many friends. In 2003, Faye moved back to Houston to be near her daughter Patty. She lived at Parkway Place and continued to play bridge, ring hand-chimes and work with ceramics into her nineties. She was a member of Memorial Dr. United Methodist Church. She is survived by her children: Dr. Robert Warren of Miami, FL, Patty (Ken) Albers of Houston and Margie (Bill) Strait of Wexford, PA. Her children by marriage to George are George Downs, III (deceased) and his wife Susie of Bartlesville, OK, Nancy (Lee) Hoover of Houston, and Anita (Sherridan ,deceased) Hughes of Katy, TX. She was blessed with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and also great-great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on October 30 at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church at 10:00 a.m in Friendship Court. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff of Parkway Place and to Buckner Hospice for their care of Faye during the last part of her life. In lieu of floral remembrances, the family requests that contributions be made to Buckner Hospice, the Caring Forever Foundation of MDUMC or a charity of choice.

Faye Warren Downs

January 17, 1917 - October 4, 2014