Donna Marie (Sears) Downing, age 71, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, passed away peacefully at her home on November 20, 2022. She was born June 27, 1951 in Milan, Missouri, to the late Vernon Sears and Helen (Ross) Sears. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Gertrude Sears and Glenda (Sears) Christy; nephew, Thomas Riddle; and niece, Tina Massey.
She was married to Robert A. Downing on December 5, 1970 and resided around the Kansas City area most of her married life until his death on June 24, 1998. She never remarried.
She is survived by her daughter, Melissa (Downing) Gibson; son-in-law, Jeff Gibson; siblings, Jean Mahoney, Ron Sears, Kathy Riddle and Jerry Sears; grandchildren, Dakota Gibson and his wife Debbie Jo, Lacey Gibson, and Colby Gibson; and three beloved great-grandchildren including Peighton Dobbins, Zander Gibson and Zayden Gibson; as well as numerous, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Although not affiliated with a particular church, Donna was a very faithful Christian who always shed her light and joy upon everyone. She was deeply devoted to her family and friends and always had a laugh or joke for everyone she encountered. Her main focus was family and she spent her life ensuring those she loved were content and felt loved.
She spent many years in customer service as a dispatcher for both BFI and Carter Energy and retired from Carter Energy in 2009 due to disability, but always remained very close to co-workers throughout the rest of her life. Her passions were bowling, playing cards and reading books and she always managed to keep a bright outlook despite a four and a half year battle with cancer. She maintained joy, optimism, and strength throughout her battle and remained unwavering until the end.
A Celebration of Life shall occur on January 14, 2023 at noon at the Stage on 69 Venue on Northeast Highway 69 in Cameron, Missouri 64429.
A portion of her ashes will also be committed to the earth at the Oakwood Cemetery in Milan, Missouri at a later time.
Our Sincere Condolences
Deepest condolences, I can’t imagine what the family is going through, I had almost daily contact with her the last few years and miss her dearly.
Gayle Smith
