Eric Keith Downs of Batesville, AR, entered the gates of Heaven on Friday, May 30, 2025. Eric was born on March 31, 1969, in Batesville, AR to John Wayne Downs and Geraldine (Arnold) Downs. Eric was a lifelong Batesville resident, but his impact as a man of faith was far-reaching. Eric was of the Christian faith and served as a minister for most of his adult life. He was the co-founder of Life Mission Ministry (an evangelistic and humanitarian outreach with an orphanage in Campamento Viejo, Honduras). He was an ordained bishop at the Church of God (Cleveland, TN), where he faithfully pastored for 20 years. His heart was with the lost and the broken.
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” – Matthew 25:40
Eric is reunited in Heaven with his maternal grandmother, Zelma (Wilkerson) Arnold-Wilkes; his maternal grandfather, Eldon Arnold; his maternal step-grandfather, Bill Wilkes; his paternal grandmother, Mary Lou (Palmer) Downs; and his paternal grandfather, John Edward Downs. He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Janet (Beard) Downs, of the home; his parents, John Wayne Downs and Geraldine (Arnold) Downs, of Batesville, AR; his sons, Ryan Downs, wife Carisa (Hutchison) Downs, of Mayflower, AR, and Seth Downs, wife Sara (Brandon) Downs, of Jonesboro, AR; his daughter, Erica (Downs) Bledsoe, husband Chris Bledsoe, of Batesville, AR; his brother, Stephen Downs of Batesville, AR; 7 grandchildren, Bernadette Bledsoe, Zelma Bledsoe, Eden Downs, John-David Downs, Shepherd Downs, Sunday Downs, and Stella Downs; and many extended family members and friends.
Services are entrusted to Willis Funeral Service of Batesville, AR. Cave City First Assembly of God will host the services on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The visitation will take place from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The funeral service will begin at 2 PM. To honor their father, the service will be officiated by his children, Ryan Downs, Seth Downs, and Erica (Downs) Bledsoe. Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Ethan McMahan, Parker McMahan, Ryley McCuiston, Austin Williams, Ransom Jones, and Dallas Gillihan. The family would like to recognize “Truth Group” and “Girls of Grace” as honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Life Mission Ministry for the completion of their orphanage—contact Seth Downs.
