Mr. Earl Davis Downs, age 87, of Hope, Arkansas passed away, Friday, December 5, 2014, at his home. Mr. Downs was born January 18, 1927, in Bodcaw, Arkansas to Edgar Davis and Bertie Mitchell Downs. Mr. Downs was a graduate of Bodcaw High School and served in World War II before receiving a bachelor's degree in Education at Magnolia A&M (SAU). Mr. Downs taught in Emmet, Arkansas and Macedonia, Arkansas before going on to the University of Arkansas to receive his Masters degree in Education in 1959. Mr. Downs was responsible for the initiation of the counseling programs in Hope High School. He served on the Arkansas Department of Education Secondary Advisory Board for 20 years, he was a member of the Arkansas School Counselors Association for 32 years, and was President for 2 of those years. After serving as the high school guidance counselor for 32 years, Mr. Downs retired in 1987, the same year he received the "Teacher of the Year" award for Hope and Hempstead County. Mr. Downs formed personal relationships with his students, which extended over generations. Mr. Downs was very active and one of the leading founders with the Hope FFA and lead the Grand Entry at the Rodeo for over 40 years. Mr. Downs had been a member of Spring Hill United Methodist Church for 62 years. During this time he served as treasurer, lay-leader and was the Adult Sunday School Class Teacher for 58 years. He was a member of the Hope Rotary Club and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a 50 year member of the Hope Masonic Lodge. He was a board member of the Hempstead County Farm Bureau and Hempstead County Farmers Co-op. Mr. Downs served on the SAU Alumni Board and was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1998. Mr. Downs was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Kathleen Kirkpatrick. Mr. Downs is survived by his wife of 62 years, June Wilson Downs of Hope, son, Ben Davis Downs and wife Lillian of Bryan, Texas, daughter, Juneanne Price and husband Ron of Hope, brother, Charles Downs of Hope, sister, Judy Pearson of Magnolia, Arkansas, grandchildren, Benjamin Davis Downs, Jr. and wife Tavanh of Seneca, South Carolina, Hunter Price and wife Kristin of Hope, Allyson Price and fiancé Mitchell Hanson of Little Rock, Arkansas and Mary Downs of College Station, Texas, great-grandchildren, Trace Price, Sophia Downs and Scott Downs. Visitation for Mr. Downs will be 2:00 to 4:00pm, Sunday, December 7, 2014, at Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home in Hope. Funeral service will be 2:00pm, Monday, December 8, 2014, at Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home with Rev. Revel Kidd, Mark Keith and Rep. Mike Ross officiating, burial will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Hope. Arrangements by Brazzel/Oakcrest The Funeral Home of Hope, Eddie Brazzel, Director. Online Guestbook: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com