Doris Downey
Doris Johnson Downey, 88, of Chattanooga, died on Wednesday, November 30, 2016.
Doris was born on July 25, 1928, in Spartanburg, S.C., to the late James and Stella Johnson. She was a graduate of Kirkman High School. Doris and Harris Downey opened Downey’s Florist and Gift Galley in 1963 in Red Bank and later joined by her son, Doug. Doris was past president of Chattanooga Florist Association, Tennessee State Florist Association, Charter Member and past president of Executive Women’s International where she enjoyed her friends known as “The Dogs”, Chairman of FTD District 16, and Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award in the floral industry and Member of Tennessee Florist Hall of Fame. She also received many other industry awards. She and Harris were world travelers and represented the United States floral industry in Japan with floral designs and sat on the international design panel. Downey’s Florist was listed in the top 500 FTD Florist Shops and top 200 Teleflora worldwide. She was a member of White Oak Baptist Church where she enjoyed singing in the church choir for many years and helping where ever needed.
She was also preceded in death by sisters, Mildred and Dorothy; brothers, Floyd, Lloyd, Arby, Junior, Joe Lee, Hubert, Donald.
Doris is survived by her husband of 65 years, Harris Downey; sons and daughters-in-law, Greg and Gina Downey and Doug and Debra Downey; grandchildren, Sarah, Lindsey, Cody, Garrett, Kyle and Stephen; many great grandchildren; sisters, Gladys Broyles, Jeannette Hughes, and Debbie Johnson.
The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Doris will follow at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, at Chattanooga National Cemetery with her son, Doug officiating.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.