John A. Downing Establishes Hall of Sponsors Scholarship in Memory of His Wife, Marion (Eberhard) Downing ’34
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A long line of Central Methodist connections inspired John A. Downing to establish a Hall of Sponsors scholarship in memory of his wife, Marion (Eberhard) Downing ’34, who died Spring 2006. The Downings were married for over 60 years and raised three children: Martha (Downing) Twist, John Downing Jr., and Anne Downing ’67.
In addition to Marion, the Downings and Eberhards have had strong connections to Central, which include: Marion’s parents, Albin and Maybell (Combs) Eberhard ’07; her brother Roy ’38 and his wife, Martha (Deatherage) Eberhard ’38; sister Elinor (Eberhard) Myers ’36; niece Melinda (Eberhard) Holmes ’65; daughter Anne (Downing) Duncan ’67; uncle Howard Combs; and aunt Edith Combs. Maybell (Combs) Eberhard was cited in 1987 as the oldest living alumna of the school at that time. Roy Eberhard received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 1969, and Martha Deatherage Eberhard was also Homecoming Queen while at Central. The family has given generously over many years to support the scholarships and operation of the University. The John A. and Marion (Eberhard) Downing Hall of Sponsors scholarship goes to a deserving student majoring in elementary education, with preference given to a student from Southeast Missouri. A photograph of John and Marion (Eberhard) Downing, along with their student recipient’s, will hang in Brannock Hall in the South stairwell between the first and second floors.
John Downing and President Marianne Inman unveil the portrait of John and his late wife Marion Eberhard Downing ’34.
The Downing family owns a farm and home-furnishings store in Malden, Mo. Son John now handles the daily operations with his father still stopping in every day to help take care of things. John and Marion traveled extensively, and Marion kept scrapbooks and photo albums from their trips. Marion majored in education and taught school for many years in Malden. While at Central she was an involved student and was selected as a beauty queen her junior year and as both Homecoming and May Queen during her senior year. She was an active member of the N. Louise Wright Piano Club, Women’s Athletic Association, History Club, Razzers, the Athletic Program for Women, Zeta Sigma Literary Society, Marion (Eberhard) and John A. Downing Alpha Phi Alpha, and Pi Kappa Theta. Fall 2006 The Magazine of Central Methodist University The Talon
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