Helen C. Downing

Lifelong Seminole resident, Helen C. Downing, died Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at the age of 88, at theSeminole Care and Rehabilitation Center in Seminole.  Helen was born November 4, 1924 in Wewoka Oklahoma to Albert and Letha (Floyd) Slay.   Helen grew up in the Seminole area and attended Seminole Public Schools.  Helen was one of the first employees of Blue Bell (now Wrangler) where she worked for many years.  Helen also worked as a waitress at Granny Fern's and the Bus Station, along with owning/operating, for a short period of time, a restaurant with her husband on Main Street.   Helen was a member of the Church of God (now Heartland Family Church) in Seminole.  She loved to sing hymns during her time at the Seminole Care and Rehabilitation Center and had many of the staff singing along with her.  She was formerly a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary where her husband served as commander for many years.  During that time she began her love of playing bingo and would engage in a game of bridge with her friends before the bingo games began.  Helen loved watching television especially her soap operas and was an avid Braves fan, along with many other sports.   Helen married James M. Downing on October 11th, 1945 in Ada, Okla.  He preceded her in death on February 16, 1997.   Helen is survived by four daughters, Nancy George and her husband Allen of Midwest City, Oklahoma, Cecilia Coker and her husband Bill, Debbie Lewis and her husband Scott and Terry Poulter and her husband Richard all of Seminole, Oklahoma.  She is also survived by daughter-in-law Melodie Osburn of Oklahoma City; six grandchildren; Greg Osburn, Todd George, Jason Lewis and wife Allison, Jamie Downing and wife Liz, William Coker, Jr. and Magan Coker and Jose Lopez.  In addition six great grandchildren; Areonna Harjo, Dazia McCulley, Leah McCulley and Saorirse Downing all of Seminole Oklahoma, Nathan Lewis and Taylor Lewis of Dallas, Texas. and five step great grandchildren; Lilly Fox, Dakota Beaver, Jessica Beaver, Kyah Fox and Miracle Parrish.  She is also survived by two brothers and sisters-in-laws, Jack and Virginia Slay of Perry, Oklahoma and Bobby and Opal Slay of Duncanville, Texas and one sister, Glenda Von Elling of Seminole, Oklahoma.   Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, James Downing, son Glen Osburn on July 10, 2010, two brothers, James Slay and Leroy Slay and step father Noel Edney. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M., Friday, April 12, 2013 at the Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Doug Melton officiating. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Seminole.   Casket bearers will be her five grandsons and her nephew, Jeff Von Elling.   Funeral services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole.   Funeral Information: April 12, 2013, 2:00 PM Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips Ave., Seminole, OK 74868