Clyde Howell Downs, Jr, 70, of Franklin and Raleigh, NC passed away Friday, March 22, 2019.

Clyde was born in Franklin, NC in 1948 to the late Clyde Howell Downs, Sr. and the late Ruby Jones Downs. He resided in Franklin until September 2016, when he moved to Raleigh, NC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of twenty-eight years, Judy Conley Downs and his sister, Dwain Downs Imahara.

Clyde, Jr. is survived by his wife of two and a half years, Annette Swafford Busby Downs of Raleigh; his son, Clyde Howell Downs, III (Amanda) of Franklin, his son, Jackie Lynn Downs of Franklin, and his daughter, Latresa Downs Shuler (William) of Bryson City; his step-son, Benjamin David Broadway of Raleigh; his step-daughter, Elizabeth Dove SanCartier of Gulf Breeze, Florida; his sister, Emma Jean Taylor (Joe) of Franklin; his granddaughter, Avery Downs; one niece; four nephews; and one great nephew.

Clyde, Jr. graduated from Franklin High School in 1968 and from Gardner Webb College with a degree in Business Administration. He served in the National Guard for three years and was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Franklin.

Clyde, Jr. retired from Duke Energy in 2014. He also started and ran Downs Family Angus Farm, raising registered Angus cattle which he sold to farms and ranches all over the United States.

Clyde, Jr. was a member of Iotla Baptist Church, to which he dedicated much of his time keeping the grounds mowed. He took much pride in making his church grounds look well-maintained.

Clyde, Jr. never met a stranger and was loved by all who knew him. He loved his wife and children and was always willing to help anyone in need. He will be missed by his family and his friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 pm, Thursday, March 28 at Iotla Baptist Church. Rev. Steve Reeves and Rev. Brandon Breedlove will officiate. Burial will be in the Iotla Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 pm, Wednesday, March 27 at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Danny Cook, Allan Morgan, Charles Swafford, Karl Gillespie, Jim McConnell, Tony Norton, Ryan "Flash" Crawford, and Skip Sanders.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Dale Young, Max Gladwell, Bob Guy, Wayne Brooks, Joe Taylor, Richard Mcclung, Greg Gardner, Mark Gardner, Johnny Brown, and Logan Gillespie.

Memorial Donations can be made to Iotla Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Cynthia Rowland, 886 Younce Creek Rd, Franklin, NC 28734.

Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Condolences can be made to the family at www.maconfuneralhome.com