Evelyn Ruth Carothers was born to Laura and Walter Carothers in Maxwell, Nebraska on August 5, 1930. She had one beloved sister, Joan, who was her constant companion and life-long best friend. Evelyn graduated from high school as the class valedictorian in 1948 and went off to Bethany Peniel College, now known as Southern Nazarene University. There she met a young man from Louisiana named Charles Ralph Downs, and they married in 1951. This marriage lasted 43 years and produced three children, David Downs, Carol (Downs) Rohr, and Andrea (Downs) Guynn. Ralph passed away in June of 1994. She began her teaching career as a Biology teacher at Taft Junior High. She later taught English at Hefner Junior High and ended her career teaching Freshman Composition at Southern Nazarene University. After retirement, she kept busy doing volunteer work at various organizations, traveling with Dad and enjoying her many grandchildren. In her later years, Evelyn ran around with a large group of widow friends to various plays, ballgames, concerts, and other church and university activities. She later moved to Southern Plaza, where she passed her time socializing, playing table games and reading everything she could get her hands on. Evelyn went to be with the Lord just a few days after her 93rd birthday, on August 10, 2023. She was a loving, gracious mother and grandmother, and will be missed terribly by all who knew her. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Evelyn Downs, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Visitation with Family Present Mercer-Adams Funeral Service Saturday, August 12, 2023 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 3925 North Asbury Avenue Bethany, OK 73008 Funeral Service Mercer-Adams Chapel Sunday, August 13, 2023 4:00 PM 3925 N. Asbury Bethany, OK 73008