Edwin Equen Downer

Edwin Equen Downer, age 94, of Meridian, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025 at Aldersgate Retirement Community of Meridian.

Funeral Services will be held at Central United Methodist Church in Meridian, Monday, September 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Dr. Scott Wright officiating. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. A private family burial will be Tuesday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton, Mississippi. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Edwin was born January 19, 1931 to Equen and Laurin Downer in Jackson, Mississippi. When he was 4 years old, his family moved to Meridian. He graduated from Meridian High School, Meridian Community College with an AA degree, Mississippi State University with a BS degree in marketing, and Harvard University with an MBA degree. While at Mississippi State, he was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. In 1953, Edwin married Betty Maude Campbell, and the couple moved to Boston, Massachusetts where he attended graduate school. Edwin then served five years in the U.S. Navy as a supply corps officer after graduating from The U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island in 1955. Edwin and Betty later lived in Athens, Georgia; Yokosuka, Japan; and Port Hueneme, California while he served in the U.S. Navy, before returning to Meridian in 1959.

Edwin began his professional career in Meridian with his father as a Cities Services Oil Company agent and then joined Motor Supply Company, where he served as president from 1975 to 1984. From 1985 to 1990, he served as president and CEO of Unifirst Bank for Savings, Eastern Division. Edwin also served on the boards of Mississippi Power Company, Riley Memorial Hospital, Mississippi Automotive Wholesalers Association, the Mississippi Economic Council, Lauderdale Economic Development Authority, Meridian/Lauderdale County Partnership, and as president of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce.

For nine years he served the State of Mississippi as a Mississippi Arts Commissioner and led the Commission through a period of intense growth as board chairman for four years. Edwin was a founder of Lively Arts in Meridian and Friends of the Arts in Mississippi. He was a member of the 1993 planning committee of the Grand Opera House of Mississippi and the state advisory committee of the University of Mississippi Center for the Study of Southern Culture. He also served as chairman of the 1994 Literary Task Force of the Southern Arts Federation.

In the local community, Edwin served on the boards of The Riley Foundation, Phil Hardin Foundation, Aldersgate Retirement Community, United Way, Boy Scouts Council, Meridian Arts Council, and Northwood Country Club. Edwin was president of the Meridian Community College Foundation and president, three times, of the Meridian Museum of Art.

Edwin was a lifelong member of Central United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Williams Sunday School Class and served twice on the staff/parish committee. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather (“Pop”), and great grandfather, adored by his family and friends. Throughout his life, Edwin’s interests were wide ranging - from the arts, architecture, and photography to cars, computers, and traveling with Betty Maude. He always enjoyed engaging conversations and was a great listener, eagerly willing to discuss any topic. He was also a mentor and advisor to many. His intellect, warm personality, smile, integrity, and love for all people will be greatly missed.

Edwin was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Equen Downer, Jr. (Laurin Hughes) of Meridian. He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Betty Maude Campbell Downer; one daughter and one son – Carol “Koko” Downer Mackin (James Stanley) of Birmingham, Alabama and Edwin Equen Downer, Jr. (Patty Key) of Floyds Knobs, Indiana; three grandsons – James Stanley Mackin III (Melanie Morales), Charles Berchmans Mackin and Will Glover Mackin (Madeline Lindsey); three great grandchildren– Rebecca Morales Mackin, James Stanley Mackin IV and Margaret Aileen Mackin; and sister-in-law – Phyllis Kean Campbell.

The family would like to thank the caring team at Aldersgate Retirement Community for all of their love and support during his 11 happy years as a resident of Dogwood Assisted Living.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Aldersgate Retirement Community, Central United Methodist Church, the Meridian Museum of Art, or Mississippi State University.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.robertbarhamffh.com.