Chiiquta Downes, 76, was bom February 24, 1931, in Verden, Oklahoma, to Melton E. and Viola (TaLkington) Osbome. She passed from this life on Monday, September 10, 2007, at her home south of Verden.

Chiquita was about 7 years old when her family moved to Phoenix. She graduated from high school there, and then attended college in Phoenix. She and John Gerald Downes were married on March 31, 1951 in Phoenix. John was a career Navy man, and they lived on several Navy bases, here and overseas, before he retired. They moved from Mississippi in 1989, and made their home on a farm south of Verden. After John's death in 1994, she went to work at The Bank of Verden, and retired in 2005. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Verden. She enjoyed bowling, sewing, and was famous for her great cheesecakes. She loved taking care of her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. She was a wonderful mom, grandmother, mother-in-law, and friend.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, one son, John Patrick "Butch" Downes, and one nephew, Dane Eden Moore. Survivors include her children, Michael J. Downes and wife Beth of Anadarko, Kelly Anne Line and Marty Flow, of Verden and Cynthia Lee Bramblet of Verden, and Casey Thomas Downes and wife Kathy of E1 Reno; a daughter-in-law, Cari Jo Downes of Chickasha; 8 grandchildren, Shon, Shane and Brent Downes, Matthew and Mikki Line, Jason and Eric Graham, and Dillion Downes, and 8 great grandchildren; one brother, David Osbome and wife Clara of Verden, and their son, David Rodney Osobme of Moore; a nephew she helped raise, John Brunning of Chicago; other relatives, her beloved bank family, and many caring, thoughtful friends.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, at the 1st United Methodist Church of Verden.

Burial will follow in the Verden Cemetery under the direction of Steverson Funeral Home.

Viewing will be from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesday, and from 9 a.m.until 9 p.m. Thursday, and from 9 a.m. until noon Friday.