Joe Downs Jr.

1958 - 2021

Joe Downs Jr. 63, of Chaplin, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, at Baptist Health. He was born on June 19, 1958, in Bardstown. Joe was retired from Tower Automotive, and was a member of River of Life Community Church, a coach for the Nelson County 4-H Shooting Sports, and an avid outdoorsman. He loved his family dearly and had a servant's heart.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Ann Downs; and his mother-in-law, Helen Parrish.
He is survived by his wife, Kelly Downs, of Chaplin; two daughters, Erica Nicole Pierce, of Elizabethtown, and Mallory Jo (Brad) Blair, of Springfield; a son, Joseph Edmund (Emily) Downs III, of Chaplin; six grandchildren, Kaitlyn Boles, Ryleigh Boles, Allie Blair, Emma Blair, Bradley Blair and James Blair; his father, Joseph Edmund "Burlap" Downs Sr., of New Haven; three sisters, Debbie (Billy) Durbin and Mary (James) Lashley, both of New Haven, and Libby Downs, of Hopkinsville; two brothers, Tony (Pam) Downs and Bobby (Sonya) Downs, both of Bardstown; his father-in-law, Bob Parrish, of Mount Washington; two brothers-in-law, Craig (Mitzi) Parrish, of Valdosta, Ga., and Kent (Paige) Parrish, of Indonesia; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral is noon Wednesday, Dec. 29, at River of Life Community Church in Springfield with burial in Highview Cemetery. Kent Parrish will officiate and Bro. Ray Johnson and Pastor Troy Shelton will assist. Visitation will be 1-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Barlow Funeral Home and 9-noon Wednesday, Dec. 29, at the church.
Memorial contributions may go to the Nelson County 4-H Shooting Sports.
Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.