Betty Carol Downey

Date of Death: April 8, 2021

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Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home - Big Spring

Sunday 4/11, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel

Monday 4/12, 10:00 am

Betty Carol (Sharp) Downey, age 71, passed away Thursday, April 8, 2021. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Monday, April 12, 2021 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel, 906 S. Gregg St., Big Spring, TX with Reverend Mark Lindsey officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olive Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 3:00 PM until 4:30 PM Sunday, April 11, 2021 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Family and friends are encouraged to wear purple to the service in honor of Betty as purple was always her favorite color.

She was born on April 3, 1950 in San Angelo, Texas to Vera (Boyd) and Marvin Sharp. The family later moved to Trent, Texas where Betty attended Trent schools, playing on the State Championship basketball team as a sophomore and participating as a State Hurdler. She graduated as Salutatorian from Trent High School in 1968. Betty married Robert Jackson Downey on September 6, 1969. She received her Associate in Arts from Howard College in 1982 and her Bachelor of Arts in Music from University of Texas-Permian Basin in 1987. Betty taught Music at Washington Elementary and played the piano at First Baptist Church in Big Spring. After retiring, she and Jackie moved to Llano, Texas in 2015 to be closer to their grandchildren.

Betty Downey was a Christian and she loved the Lord. Sharing that love through music was a passion of hers. Not only did she teach music and play piano at her church; she loved singing, especially with her sister, Donna and brother, Roy. Betty and Jackie spent years going on trips together and enjoying their two sons and grandchildren.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Jackie. She is survived by her son Joe Downey and wife Kristi of Llano, her son Jonathan Downey of San Angelo, her two grandchildren Kendall and Loralee Downey of Llano, her sister Donna Senseman of Sugar Land, her brother Roy Sharp and wife Rebecca of Abilene, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at CelesteCare of Llano and Hill Country Memorial Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care of Betty.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com

Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home - Big Spring

Sunday 4/11, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel

Monday 4/12, 10:00 am

See Condolences

Prayers for the family. She was a very sweet person. I enjoyed working with her at Washington Elementary.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. All 3 of my children had Mrs. Downey as their music teacher. She was a wonderful lady.

Joe and Jonathan, please accept our sincere condolences in the loss of your mother. She was a very special person and touched many lives. Even years after we moved to Colorado, our daughter wanted to get married in Big Spring, and Betty graciously agreed to play for her wedding. In fact, when I think of Betty, I think of her grace and her witness for the Lord in everything she did. Heaven has certainly gained an angel. You and your families will be in our prayers. Kerry and Donna Newell

Jonathan and Joe - We were so saddened to hear of the passing of your Mom. Such a sweet, caring and loving person. Know that we all are praying for each your family at this heart wrenching time. It's never easy to lose a parent. Love, the family of Edgar Ray; Margaret, Debbie, Michele and Austin, Joey and family, Jenny and family.

Wish we could be there but we are in Tucson, AZ. Our Prayers will be with you. Joe & Jonathan you know what great friends your Mom and Dad were. I would have called but I didn't have either of your numbers. Peace of the Lord be with you at such difficult times.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

My beautiful, talented, generous and sweet little sister; I miss your presence on this earth, but know we will be together again one day when I join you and our other loved ones in Heaven. Thank you for all the joy, laughter, comfort and many other gifts you shared with all of us during your life here on earth. If there are pianos and organs in Heaven, I am positive you will be on the bench not only playing but singing eternal praises to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I love you. Donna

I'm so sorry to hear this. I have so many wonderful memories of the Sharp family and Betty was such a sweetheart. My prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to the family. I know she is now rejoicing in the heavenly choir and in the arms of loved ones and our Savior.

In memory of Betty Carol Downey, Kaleb Hill lit a candle

In memory of Betty Carol Downey, Lee Ann Johnson lit a candle

Betty was a ray of the sweetest sunshine to everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her. How very very fortunate I was to have spent my lifetime having her in my life. I will miss many things about her. Her sweet smile and enduring positive spirit enriched my life for the better. This world is diminished without her in it but her reward will be great and I rejoice in that knowledge. I love you, dear precious Betty and will see you again. Much love to my beloved cousins, Joe and Jon. Love you so much.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.