Wanda Elaine Downing, 73 of Owensboro, Kentucky died on Monday, October 2, 2023, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital in Owensboro, Kentucky.
Born Wednesday, October 5, 1949, she was the daughter of the late Cleveland Downing and the late Bessie Yates Downing. She was a retired Special Education teacher in the Daviess County and Owensboro School Systems. She was a member of Ridgewood Baptist Church in Owensboro. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.
Elaine can be best described as creative, fun and caring. She was passionate about her career in special education and loved by her students. She cherished her friends in the community and cared for her family with devotion.
She is survived by her nephews; Billy Riley (Delia), Mark Riley, Luke Riley (Tanya), Barry Bryan (Liz), Darryl Bryan (Bernice), Jerry Bryan (Susan), and Kerry Bryan (Angela) and her niece Johnnie Faye Davis (Joe).
She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Maydell Riley and Peggy Bryan and her life partner Bruce Wade.
Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 2:00 pm at the Collier Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tony Boykin officiating.
Burial will follow at Provine Cemetery in Briensburg.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Collier Funeral Home located at 211 West 5th Street Benton, KY 42025.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Marshall County Exceptional Center 198 Old Symsonia Road Benton, KY 42025.