Evelyn Downey

Evelyn Joyce (Elliott) Downey was born in Grier, NM on September 23, 1936 to H.O. (Olas) and Louise Elliott and she passed from this life on March 13, 2021 in Carrollton, TX. She was 84 years old. Services celebrating her life will be held Monday, March 22 at 10:00 am in the Steed Todd Chapel, 800 E. Manana in Clovis. Pastor Ron Key of Dallas will officiate.

Evelyn grew up on the family’s dairy farm near Ranchvale, NM. She attended all 12 years of school in Ranchvale, graduating valedictorian in 1954. She received her driver’s license when she was 14; from then until she graduated from high school, she drove the school bus every day picking up Ranchvale kids all along the way, taking them to school and then delivering them safely back home.

Evelyn married Clifford Downey on December 5, 1954. They had two daughters, Candace and Kimberly. The marriage didn’t last and Evelyn’s top priority became her daughters and that priority never waned.

Evelyn worked as a program assistant for ASCS (Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service) and retired in June, 1994. She loved her job which involved working with farmers all across Curry County. Having lived in Curry County most of her life, she knew all the farmers and they knew her.

Evelyn lived in Clovis until 2007 when she moved to the Dallas area to be closer to her daughters, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

She was proceeded in death by her father Olas Elliott in 1982 and her mother Louise Elliott in 2000.

Evelyn is survived by her daughters, Candace (Candi) Hecht and her husband, Karl, and Kimberly (Kim) Delano, five grandchildren, Derra Purnell (David), Jonathan Hecht (Glenn Brown), Dusty Delano (Anna), Joshua Hecht (Kristen), and Jennifer Lees (Rex), and six great-grandchildren, Lani, Violet, Izzy, John, Jace, and Oliver. She is also survived by one brother, Gary Elliott (Cheryl), several nieces and nephews, as well as many cousins.

The family has requested donations be made to the Christian Children’s Home of Portales, in Ms. Evelyn Downey’s name. The Christian Children’s Home can be contacted at (575) 356-5372 online at and at nmcch.org

Services in Loving care by Steed Todd Funeral Home