Frieda Carol "Granny" Downs

Frieda Carol “Granny” Downs was born on April 12, 1934, to Franklin Everett and Clara Magnolia (Mullins) Campbell. Welcoming her on this day were two older sisters, Lois and Evelyn and an older stepbrother Jr. She would later welcome a younger sister, Nelda that she grudgingly told her parents “to take back”.

Granny spent most of her childhood on the Tulsa/Sand Springs line. She graduated from Central High School in Tulsa in 1952. She attended 1 year of nursing school but chose to get married instead to her high school sweetheart, William Oscar “Bill” Downs. They were married on February 13, 1953. They made their home in Tulsa, where granny was a homemaker and they raised 4 children.

Once the youngest child began school, Granny went to work in the cafeteria of Shidler Public Schools and then went to work for H&R block as a tax consultant. After working there, she became an Entrepreneur at Tulsa Curtain Cleaning and French Hand Laundry. She then went into the medical field becoming a Certified Medication Aide for both Wagoner Care Center and Parkhill South Nursing Home. Her later years she worked for King Louie in Adair, Oklahoma until the company closed. Her last career she was a wire harness assembler at Labinal in Pryor, Oklahoma.

As a family, they attended North Sheridan Church of Christ for many years. Granny and Papa brought many souls to Christ due to their involvement at North Sheridan and campaign for Christ. Once their children were grown, they moved to the country, just south of Chouteau and attended Chouteau Church of Christ. In 1980, the moved east of Salina and began attending Pryor Church of Christ. This remained their church home and family until both of their passings. Granny is remembered for always sending cards to every member for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, births and deaths of her church family.

Granny departed this life on October 13, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Nola, her older brother Jr., and sister-in-law Jane, her younger sister Nelda, and brother-in-law Charlie, and two other brothers-in-law, Roy and Eddie. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 50+ years, Bill Downs in 2006.

She is survived by her two older sisters, Lois and Evelyn. Granny and Papa took the scripture Genesis 1:22 “Go forth and multiply” literally and seriously as they had 4 children and leave behind Russell and Terri Downs of Weatherford, Oklahoma, Anita and Tommy Vangundy of Salina, Oklahoma, Steve and Linda Downs of Milton, Kansas and Marie and Robert O’Rear of Salina, Oklahoma. Frieda also leaves behind 26 grandchildren and their spouses; Nathan and Dee of Weatherford, Oklahoma, Caleb and Jennifer of Weatherford, Oklahoma, Clarissa and Glenn of Salina, Oklahoma, Cassandra and Matt of Salina, Oklahoma, Matthew of Salina, Oklahoma, Jennifer and Nate of Augusta, Kansas, Ben and Kimberly of Mulvane, Kansas , Joe and Talsie of Lexington, Oklahoma, Robert and Anita of Milton, Kansas, Clint and Ashley of Rose, Oklahoma, Dayla and Gali of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ron and Tammy of Christoval, Texas, Rose and Steve of Pryor, Oklahoma and Robert “Bump” and Jen of Salina, Oklahoma. 52 great-grandchildren and their spouses. 9 great-great-grandchildren and many cousins and extended family.

Granny enjoyed spending time with her family, flea-marketing, collecting dolls, quilting, sewing, and getting into trouble.

Granny welcomed anyone that wished to be a part of her family and was the Christian Rock of her family.

A visitation will be held at Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service in Pryor, Oklahoma, on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A funeral service will follow at the Pryor Church of Christ located at 605 S Coo Y Yah St. Pryor, Oklahoma 74361 on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. To leave a message, please visit her guestbook at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service of Pryor.