Geraldine Brown Downs Ryder

   Geraldine Brown Downs Ryder, 83, formerly of Pop’s Lane, Cofield, NC, and more recently of Ahoskie House, died Friday, March 10, 2017 in Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie.

   Mrs. Ryder was born in Gates County on November 4, 1933, and was the daughter of the late James Talton and Susan Rebecca Ridgell Brown. A homemaker, she was a member of Holly Springs Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Linwood Talmadge “Pop” Downs, Sr. and Cliff Ryder; a daughter, Joyce Winborne; a son-in-law, Martin Winborne; a grandson, Cody Downs; six sisters, Martha, Margaret, Dora, Lois, Lila, and Janice; and by four brothers, Martin, Julian, James, and John.

   Surviving are her two daughters, Linda Mizelle and husband Randy of Harrellsville and Tammy White and husband Bill of Colerain; three sons, L.T. Downs, Jr. and wife Scarlett and Billy Downs and wife Norma, all of Cofield, and James Downs and wife Dottie of Plymouth; eight grandchildren, Amy, Jessica, Sterling, Kellie, Scott, Wood, Hunter, and Lindsey; and eight great-grandchildren.

   Graveside services will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the Downs Family Cemetery, 323 Hwy 45 South, Cofield, and will be officiated by the Revs. Gilbert Crawford and Joe Futrell. Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, is assisting the family with arrangements.

   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/donate.

   Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.