Linda Downing

Linda Kay (Onstott) Downing was born May 5, 1948, in Blackwell, Oklahoma to Jack and Marie Onstott. She grew up on a farm near Braman with her two sisters and went to Plainview Country School, then later moved to Blackwell in 1956. Linda was a member of the Blackwell First Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir. She graduated from Blackwell High School in 1966 as Salutatorian, because of that pesky B in Typing class. After attending Northern Oklahoma College and graduating in 1968 with an Associate’s Degree in Business, she got her first job with Cities Service Gas Company in Oklahoma City. Following college, she married John Ailey in 1968 and later had two daughters, Debra in 1973 and Susan in 1974.

After moving to Medford in 1976, she began a 35 year career in the oil and gas industry at KOCH and OneOK, retiring in 2012. She was a member of the Medford First Baptist Church and then later the Medford Nazarene Church, where she faithfully served in the choir, as a Sunday School teacher, and Church Treasurer.

In 1991, she married her love, Steve Downing and was blessed with four more children: Jeremy, Alyssa, Lizzie and Aaron, officially becoming the “Brady Bunch.” She was the most revered Grandma Linda to Hailey, Seth, Emma and Jarrett, Jackson and Cambri, Maggie, Mallary, Olivia and Braden, Mason, Grady, Ethan, Jace, Levi, Colby, Cole and Eli and Great Grandma Linda to Jameson and a new baby being born in July. Linda was an encouraging and supportive Mother-in-Law to Andy, Aaron, Maura, Nathan, and Brett.

As a loyal and loving member of the Three Musketeers with her sisters, Nancy and Shirley and their husbands, Monty and John, they enjoyed many trips and laughs together over the years.

Aunt Linda was beloved by so many nieces and nephews. She was the most attentive and loving dog mama and grandma to Toby, T-Bone, The Cookie(s), Petey, Camry, Scooby, Maya Marie, Cutaway, Molly, Jetta, Sawyer, Hutton and Rigby.

Spending time with her grandkids and following them all over the country chasing their dreams was her favorite. She enjoyed all of her Christmas decorations, spending time traveling especially in the camper, reading, winning Yahtzee, and loving on her dogs. More than anything, she had a servant’s heart and loved any and all children that she met.

Linda went to be with Jesus June 27, 2024.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marie and Jack Onstott and her beloved granddaughter, Mallary.

Funeral service for Linda will be Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 10:30 at the Nazarene Church in Medford. Burial will follow at Rosemound Cemetery, Medford with arrangements by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Medford. Viewing will be Monday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present. www.lanmanfuneralhome.com Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

 In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer a donation to www.cholangiocarcinoma.org to help find a cure.