Mr. James Bruce Downey was born on August 4, 1950, in Granville County to the parentage of the late Mary Beatrice Jones Hicks and James Lee Downey. He was educated in the Granville County Schools, graduating from Joe Toler School.

His memories will forever be remembered by his loving wife Delphine Theresa Hunt Downey of the home; one daughter, Pamela M. Thomas (Anthony) of Oxford, North Carolina; one son, Reginald Downey of Oxford, North Carolina; a stepson, Myron P. Allen, Jr., of Kentucky; three sisters, Julia Yancey-Conner, Angela C. Hunt (Tommy) and Marlene Lyons all of Oxford, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Ardesia Downey, Anthony Thomas, Jr., Candace Downey, Ty'Janai Downey and Da'lyah Downey; one great grandchild, Noemi Farah: two sisters-in-law, Mercedes Hunt of Oxford, North Carolina and Sophia Roberts of East Orange, New Jersey; one brother-in-law, Jerry Hunt of Ft Myers, Florida: one aunt Julia Hester (Jimmy) of Oxford and a host of nieces, nephews and other caring relatives and friends.

He was also preceded in death by a brother Clifton Downey and Juanita Wilkerson who was raised as a sister.