M. Faye Pledger (Pledger) Downs

It is with great joy and celebration that the family of Faye Downs announce her sweet passing on January 5, 2016. Born in Horton, Alabama on September 3, 1924, to Bob and Charlsie Pledger, the eldest of eight children. At the time of her death she was 91. Faye attended elementary thru high school in Douglas, Alabama. She married Lawrence O. Downs in June of 1942. As times dictated he enlisted in the armed forces and she traveled with him to his various stations before he was sent overseas. She returned to Alabama, completed her high school education and then worked at the Goodyear Plant in Gadsden, Alabama. After his return from the Pacific at the end of World War II, they eventually made their move out west ending up in Farmington, New Mexico in 1958. Although she loved being in New Mexico, part of her heart always remained in Alabama. Following the sudden death of her husband in l967, Faye returned to her love of learning and completed her undergraduate degree in elementary education at Fort Lewis in Durango, CO and then completing her formal education obtaining a Masters Degree from Adams State College in Alamosa, CO. She then taught first grade for 20 years starting at Country Club Elementary and then at Ladera Elementary. She loved teaching!! Faye was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Farmington (now Pinon Hills) and at the time of her death was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. She also was a member of the Retired Teacher Association of New Mexico, in addition to a Garden Club and won many ribbons for her arrangements at the County Fair. She was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence in 1967, her son-in-law Harold Off in 2011. Also preceding her were her parents, two brothers Bobby and Ronald and one sister Fern Buckalew. She is survived by her sisters Wanda Richardson, Mary Dyar, Saundra (Keith) Burns and Armorette (Terry) Morrow. Additional survivors include her sisters in law Eloise Pledger, Johnnie (Downs) Campbell, Elouise (Downs) Houston and a brother-in-law Marcellous (Gladys) Downs. She was blessed with many nieces and nephews. She will be incredibly missed by her children, Phyllis Off, Dusty (Lori) Downs, and Phoebe (Mike) Benziger. She is also survived by her Grandchildren; Brett (Melissa) Off, Amy (Shane) Spellbring, Cody (Rachel) Off, Brandon (Amanda) Downs, Megan Downs, Sara Metheny and Seth Benziger; and 11 great grandchildren. A public celebration for this amazing Christian wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister teacher/mentor and friend will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016, at Emmanuel Baptist Church at 1:00 pm. Please come and enjoy sweet tea, coffee and "Mom Dear" desserts immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the missions programs at Emmanual Baptist Church. 211 West 20th Street, Farmington, NM 87401. Fayes's care is entrusted to the Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, 505-325-8688.