Shelly Payne Downs, Jr.
The subject of this sketch, Dr. S. P. Downs, was born at Oak Hill, Newton county, Georgia, August 17th, 1838, and died at his home near Monticello, February 21st, 1900.
When he was twelve years of age, he was converted and united with the Methodist church, and remained a gilded pillar of that denomination until the time of his death.
At an early age he began the study of medicine, and after attending the Atlanta and Mac___ Medical College, was ready at the age of twenty to enter upon his profession.
On October 14th, 1858 he was married to Miss Ella Vaughn, of this county, and as a result of this union twelve children were born to them, ten of whom are now living. They are: Mrs. Elliott and Mrs. Cunnard, of Conyers, GA; Mrs. J. T. Malone and Mrs. S. J. Kelly of this county, and Mrs. C. R. Malone, of Henderson, Ga. and Messrs. T. P. Downs, J. A. Downs, Howard Downs, Marvin Downs and Vassar Downs of this county.
At the age of thirty he entered the ministry, and was allowed to serve as local preacher, and, with the exception of a few years, he followed both professions with great success until his late illness.
Dr. Downs' health began failing three years ago, and the last nine months of his life he was confined to his bed. He was a great sufferer, but bore it all with Christian fortitude, and often expressed himself as only waiting for the summons to come up higher.
The funeral was held at the Methodist church Friday morning and was conducted by Revs. Schols, Dillard and Seaborn, after which the interment occurred at West View Cemetery. Three of the sons, Messrs. T. P. Downs, J. A. Downs and Howard Downs, three sons-in-law, Messrs. O. L. Cunnard, J. T. Malone and S. J. Kelly were pall bearers.
The death of such a noble, Christian character is a loss not only to immediate relatives and friends but to the community at large, and can be illy sustained, for it is not easy, always, to fill their places.
Our sympathies go out to the bereaved family in this the darkest hour of their affliction.