Robert Lee Downum

Obituary: Downum, Robert Lee Concord, NC- Robert Lee Downum, age 84, died Monday, June 22, 2009 at CMC-NorthEast, Concord, NC after three years of declining health. He was born March 5, 1925 in Cabarrus County, the son of the late James Monroe Downum and Betty Haynes Downum. He was employed with the former Cannon Mill Co. Plt.#1 #6 Weave Room & Finishing Dept. for 45 years until his retirement. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served during World War II in the European Theatre and received a Purple Heart. He was a member of Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, Concord, NC where he was active in various phases of church activities & took care of the church's grounds & lawn care for 42 years. He enjoyed gardening & farming for most of his life. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by a sister, Mary Moore. The funeral will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 25, 2009 at Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, Concord, NC by Rev. Jerry Hagler. Burial will follow at New Gilead United Church of Christ Cemetery, Concord, NC with military rites conducted by the N.C. National Guard Honor Guard. His body will be taken to the church to lie in state 1 hour prior to the service. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at Whitley's Funeral Home, Kannapolis, NC. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Minnie Boger Downum; three daughters, Betty Ann Harris & husband, Melvin of Mooresville, NC, Peggy Lee Tucker of Cleveland, NC, and Shirley Mae Ludwick of Faith, NC; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and three sisters. Memorials may be made to Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, 2330 Old Concord-Salisbury Road, Concord, NC 28025. On-line condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com. Whitley's Funeral Home, 1748 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., Kannapolis, NC 28083 E-Mail: harold@whitleysfh.com/ (704) 933-2222/ (704) 938-9815 FAX
Visitation: 6:30-8:30pm Wednesday June 24, 2009 Whitleys Funeral Home

Service: 11:00am Thursday June 25, 2009 Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church

Interment: New Gilead United Church of Christ Cemetery