Obituary of Ruth Downey

Ruth Downey, 86, of Fairmont, passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at Fitzwater’s Gracious Living Care Home. She was born on June 20, 1936, in Kingwood, WV, a daughter of the late Grover and Vinetta Metz Wiley. She was preceded in death by her husband, James R. Downey. She is survived by one son, Aaron Downey of Fairmont, and two daughters, Laura Brion and her husband Dan of Chesapeake, VA, and April Downey of Fairmont. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Autum Downey, Nicholas Downey, Dakota Barber, Addie Barber, Alexis Brion, Dan Brion, and Shawn Downey, as well as seven great grandchildren. Mrs. Downey worked as a waitress for Caesars Supper Club in Fairmont. She was also a former employee for the Westinghouse Corporation in Fairmont, a homemaker, and a local decorator in the area. She was a graduate from Kingwood High School. In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by one son, Shawn Downey, three brothers, Bruce Wiley, Harley Wiley, and Clay Wiley, and two sisters, Anna Mae Manzo and Addie Anderson. Memorial contributions may be made to the Marion County Humane Society, PO Box 905, Fairmont, WV 26554. The Downey family has entrusted the arrangements to the Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont, WV 26554. A committal service will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 11 am in the West Virginia National Cemetery, 42 Veterans Memorial Lane, Grafton WV 26354. Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.