Mrs. Downing is a member of First Baptist Institutional Church of St. Petersburg, Fl.

She worked for many years with the Polk County Schools and Pinellas County Schools as an educator.

She is the daughter of the late George H. Gause, Sr. and the late Marie F. Gause.

She is survived by two daughters: Dierdre Marie Downing Jackson and Alvinette Downing McCleave; one sister: Annetta Smith; and 10 Grand Children.

Visitation is Monday, October 3, 2011 at the Lawson Funeral Home, 4535 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg. FL 33713 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Funeral service will take place on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Institutional Church, 3100 3rd Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL, 33712.

Interment at Royal Palm Cemetery in St. Petersburg, FL.