Betty W. Downey

Betty Workman Downey died Sept. 11, 2010 at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville following a brief illness. She was 83 and had lived in Franklin since 1940. Betty grew up in the Methodist Home in Versailles and the Lewis Memorial Home in Franklin. She was a member of the Franklin United Methodist Church.

Betty was survived by her husband of 64 years Doug Downey; their children David Downey (married to Bonita) of Estero, FL, Dick Downey (Cindy), Steve Downey (Claudia) both of Bowling Green, KY. and Debbie Donaldson (Mac) of Franklin, KY.; seven grandchildren (Stepanie Downey, Charlie Downey, Andy Downey, David Downey, Mary Beth Schlosser, Doug Donaldson and Dee Dee Donaldson); and six great-grandchildren. She was also survived by one sister, Frances, and preceded in death by four siblings: Bill, Ruby, Lucille and Margie.

Betty was a 1945 graduate of Franklin-Simpson High School and went on to attend Bowling Green Business University. In addition to raising four children, which she considered her most important job, Betty was an antique dealer for more than 30 years, both alone and in partnership with her daughter Debbie.

Betty was a homemaker in the truest sense of the word. She was a long-time member of the Franklin Country Club and is a past winner of the club championship. Betty loved to follow college basketball and read. She was a lifelong keeper of pets, most recently her beloved cat Simon.