Gertrude Olia Downie

Gertrude Olia Ryan Downie, the daughter of the late Joseph Patrick and Olia Elgin Bryant Ryan was born in Union County, Mississippi on March 7,1915, and passed away at the Christian Health Care in Nevada, Missouri on March 10, 2006, at the age of 91 years and 3 days. Gertrude's family moved to Memphis when she was a toddler and a few years later the family moved to Southeast Missouri. Gertrude and her six brothers often joined their mother and father in the fields picking cotton. Gertrude graduated from the Portageville High School. Gertrude met and fell in love with Laird Downie. Laird was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and had moved to Marston, Missouri with his parents. Laird and Gertie eloped in a truck, crossed the Mississippi River on the Ferry and were married at Dyersburg, Tennessee on August 16, 1936. Laird and Gertie owned and operated a dairy farm and milk delivery business at Charleston, Missouri until 1944. The next six years, with his parents, they leased the Kemper Plantation site, south of Meridian, Mississippi, on which cattle and hogs were raised. The family moved numerous times in following years, living in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and one year in Chicago, Illinois. Laird worked as a dairy engineer and consultant. Gertie usually held a position of secretary and/or bookkeeper. Upon retirement in 1978 the couple moved to Kiln, Mississippi near the Gulf Coast. Laird passed away on June 13, 1989. Gertrude was an avid gardener, quilted, and enjoyed cooking for her family. She and Laird played bridge, each holding the rank of Senior Master with the American Contract Bridge League. During retirement years the couple enjoyed outdoor activities in the bayou area where they lived in southern Mississippi. Surviving are two sons, Donald Downie and wife Lorraine, of Athens, Georgia, Rod Downie and wife Ginger, of Covington, Louisiana; two daughters, Rosemary Noel and Norman of Bronaugh, Missouri, Patricia Downie and friend Rick Walsh of Glenburnie, Maryland, ten grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, two brothers, Carl Ryan of Puxico, Missouri, and Thad B. Ryan of Morehouse, Missouri. Other friends and relatives also survive. She was also preceded in death by four brothers, Jerry, Arnold, Everett, and Grady Ryan. Friends may call on Friday, March 17, 2006, from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri. Funeral services will be held on Friday March 17, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Puxico, Missouri. Interment will be in the Puxico Cemetery in Puxico, Missouri with Watkins and Sons Funeral Home of Puxico, Missouri in charge of arrangements.