Rev. Dr. Michele Downing

Rev. Dr. Michele Beatrice Downing was born in Prince George’s County, Maryland, to the late Charles L. Young and Shirley B Young. She was raised for a short period of time in Prince George’s County Maryland until her family moved to Charles County Maryland where she was educated in the public schools. She is the second of three children born to this union. Elder Downing departed this life on February 27, 2023 at ECU Health Medical Center. Elder Downing graduated from Thomas Stone High School in St. Charles, Maryland after graduating she furthered her education at the Chesapeake Business Institute in Clinton, Maryland where she received her degree in Automated Information. She later attended the Howard University Bible Enrichment College. Elder Downing is a graduate of National Bible College of Fort Washington, Maryland where she studied under the tutelage of great international theologians as Dr. Mark Lowry. Elder Downing accepted her call in the Gospel Ministry at the age of sixteen at the Christ United Methodist Church in Aquasco, Maryland under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Conrad Parker. As she matured and grew, she was later commissioned at the Union Bethel AME Church in Brandywine, Maryland under the tutelage of Pastor Harry Seawright and Presiding Elder Dr. Hildebrant. She later joined the Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Oxon Hill, Maryland under the leadership of Rev. Rodney L. Young, where she was licensed for the Gospel Ministry. She remained there until she moved to Clayton, North Carolina; she then joined the Johnston Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Clayton, North Carolina under the leadership of Rev. Theodore Breeden. She was Ordained there on June 30, 2013 under the leadership of the Johnston District Association where the Moderator is Pastor J. Vincent Terry. Elder Downing later moved to Clayton, North Carolina and worked for the State of North Carolina as a Social Worker for twelve years until she retired on disability. She graduated from Shaw University in 2006 with double degrees in the areas of Social Work, Philosophy and Religion. Elder Downing has served at the True Vision Worship Center where the Pastor is the Rev. James R. Harden. She served as the facilitator for the Women’s Ministry and the Church Administrator. A graduate of the Mt. Calvary Bible College under the leadership of Apostle Henry Brown, Sr. She is married to Deacon Lorenza Downing. Elder Downing was a volunteer Chaplin at the Vidant Memorial Hospital, Greenville, North Carolina, she is also a volunteer at the Pregnancy Center, Greenville, NC, and she is also a very strong advocate for Veterans and their families. Inspite of her disability she always says and believes that her disability is not her inability to do God’s Will! Elder Downing leaves to cherish her loving memories her husband, Lorenza Downing of the home; adopted son, Josias Downing of the home; stepson, Maurice L. Downing of Roper, NC; foster daughter, Miracle Allen of Washington, NC; one granddaughter, Zoe Monet Spruill of Plymouth, NC; her mother, Shirley B Young of Greenville, NC; two brothers, Louis A Young (Kim) of Zebulon, NC, Harry C Young (Kim) of McLeansville, NC; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Rev. Dr. Michele Downing

September 24, 1967 - February 27, 2023