Elnor Mae (Felio) Downs

Elnor Mae (Felio) Downs, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend to many went home to be with the Lord on April 9, 2025 at the age of 82 in Dallas, Texas while surrounded by family. In accordance with her wishes, a graveside service will be held at the South Park Cemetery in Roswell, New Mexico on Saturday, July 26th, 2025 at 10 am where she will be laid to rest next to her long-time sweetheart and late husband, Phil Downs.

Elnor was born on April 3, 1943 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin to Elmer Felio and Dorothy (Brown) Felio. She had one brother, Larry Felio (wife, Genelle). She was preceded in death by her husband Franklin Phillip (Phil) Downs, daughter Tamara Lynn (Downs) Trice, son-in-law Jeffrey Trice, brother Larry Felio, and parents Elmer and Dorothy Felio.

Elnor is survived by her son, Derek Downs and his wife Cathy (Witt) Downs, her five grandchildren and four perfect great-grandchildren: Keegan Downs (wife Mikayla and their son Franklin and daughter Cecilia), Makenna Downs, Grayson Downs, Asher Downs, and Rebekah (Trice) Wilcox (husband Sam Wilcox, along with their daughter Juniper and baby number two on the way!).

Elnor grew up in Roswell, New Mexico where she was active in the First Baptist Church and graduated from Roswell High School in 1961. She married her sweetheart, Phil Downs in 1962 and they enjoyed a beautiful marriage of 51 years until Phil went to be with the Lord in 2013. She worked for the Roswell Independent School District as an administrative assistant for many years. She was also an administrative assistant at the First Baptist Church in Roswell where she was a warm and friendly face for so many who walked through the doors. Elnor loved taking care of babies and faithfully served for years in the nursery at First Baptist Church as well as Berrendo Baptist Church where she was a member in the years leading up to her move to Texas. Phil and Elnor were both very active in the Gideons International organization for many years. Elnor moved to Lewisville, Texas (Dallas) to be close to her children in 2019. She attended The Grapevine First Baptist Church with her daughter Tammy.

Elnor was a genuinely kind-hearted person who loved people and served God whole-heartedly. She would do anything to help anyone in need and was known for sacrificing her own needs to ensure others were taken care of. So many people were loved and cared for by Elnor and her late husband Phil. Elnor was always volunteering with Phil at the church, caring for the babies, chaperoning youth trips, hosting Sunday school socials, as well as spending weekends helping the widows of the church with lawn care and home repair projects. Later, Elnor helped care for her daughter, Tammy as she battled cancer.

Elnor always remained positive and rooted in her faith until the end. Even during the difficult times of losing both her husband and daughter to cancer, she never wavered in her love for the Lord. The doctors and nurses always commented on how Elnor was such a blessing, always asking them about their lives.

Elnor was deeply loved by so many and will be truly missed. We take great comfort in knowing she is now in heaven celebrating with Phil, Tammy, and others she loved. The family welcomes anyone who would like to attend the graveside service in Roswell, NM on June 26th at 10:00am at the South Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any of Elnor’s favorite causes:

The Gideons Ministry of Roswell, PO Box 777, Roswell, NM 88202

Berrendo Baptist Helping Hands, 401 W Berrendo Rd, Roswell, NM 88201