Russell "Cotton" Downey

Russell “Cotton” Downey, age 77, of Rutherfordton, passed away Friday, April 15, 2022 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City.

Russell was born Friday, December 22, 1944 in Rutherford County to the late Lewis Downey and Willie Lou Allen Downey. He was a graduate of R-S Central High School. Russell owned and operated Carolina Cars for over twenty years and worked for Eaton Industries until retirement. Russell attended Missionary Wesleyan Church of Forest City and enjoyed driving cars, golfing and any outdoor activity.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-two years, Janice Downey; infant twin sons, Roger and Randy Downey and a brother, Kenneth Downey.

Left to cherish fond memories are his son, Keith Downey (Caroline) and daughter, Sonya Greene (Shannon) all of Forest City; sister, Betty Norville (Norris) of Cane Creek; grandchildren, Joshua Downey (Paige), Hannah Greene (Robert), Cody Greene (Brittney), Caleb “Bo” Greene (Hannah) and Carsyn Greene; great-grandchildren, Addison Downey, Alayna Downey, Cullen Downey, Aubrey Bradley, Colton Greene, Bailey Greene, Kaidence Greene, Colt Greene, Coda Greene, Dawson Greene and Emma Greene.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at the Missionary Wesleyan Church with Reverend Jason Madison and Reverend Jerry Ruppe officiating. Interment will follow at Eternal Hills Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service time at the church.

Memorial donations are requested to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC  28043 or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, www.nationalmssociety.org