Lucille Eugenia Bumgardner “Cile” Downer

Mrs. Lucille Eugenia Bumgardner “Cile” Downer died Thursday, November 7, 2024, in Oxford, MS at the age of 103. The Celebration of Life will be Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. at Oxford-University United Methodist Church with Rev. Warren Black and Rev. Chris McAlilly officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 1:00 P.M in the atrium at the church. Burial will follow the Celebration of Life at Oxford Memorial Cemetery.

Cile was born on July 21, 1921, in Water Valley, MS, to the late Beulah Mills and George Thomas Bumgardner. Cile was the middle child of nine children. A lifelong resident of Oxford, Cile spent her career as a secretary for the Superintendent of Oxford City School District. A woman of great faith, she was a beloved, as well as the oldest member of the Oxford-University United Methodist Church, where she was also a member of the Mary Martha Circle. Cile gave back to the community she loved so much through her membership in the Oxford Garden Club and University Dames. She was a self-appointed worldwide ambassador for Ole Miss and faithfully attended football and basketball games until she was 95 years old. She was a loving, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who loved her family above all else. In addition to her parents, as well as her brothers and sisters, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Selby Downer.

Cile is survived by her daughter, Elaine Downer Klotz (Paul) of Mobile, AL; two grandchildren, Cissy Klotz Bacon of Fairhope, AL and Melinda Klotz Mercer of Spanish Fort, AL; as well as three great-grandchildren, Grace Bestor Bacon of Fairhope, AL, Melissa Joan Mercer of Spanish Fort, AL and Paul Boyd Mercer of Spanish Fort, AL; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Cile’s memory may be made to Oxford-University United Methodist Church Memorial Garden, 424 South 10th St., Oxford, MS 38655 or the Oxford Garden Club c/o Dotsy Fitts, 140 Leighton Rd., Oxford, MS 38655.