Bobby Harold Downs, 85, of Millstone Farm Road, Casar, went to his Heavenly home on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Atrium Health - Cleveland, Shelby.

Born in Cleveland County, on December 12, 1936, he was the son of the late William Douglas Downs and Bertha Crotts Downs. His early years were spent working at Drexel Heritage. Meanwhile, he and his wife, Polly, were building their chicken, cattle and horse farm, Millstone Farms. Bobby grew chickens for over 60 years, first for Breedens Poultry and then for Case Farms. Through their farming they were awarded the Conservation Farm Family of the Year award in 1977. He also received an Excellence in Agriculture award in 2000.

Bobby and his daughter Renee raised and showed horses for over thirty years with the Racking Horse Breeders Association of America. They won five world championships with Bobby training the horses and his daughter riding. He also served as a commissioner for the RHBAA.

He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to bird hunt. He traveled out west for many years to hunt for pheasants and quail. Bobby was known for his ability to raise and train bird dogs. He also loved to pass his knowledge on to anyone who wanted to learn the craft. He ran Millstone Hunting Preserve where you could often see the bird dogs on the hunt. One of Bobby's favorite things to do was travel, especially with his daughter and granddaughter.

Bobby was a fifty year Master Mason of the Casar Masonic Lodge # 579 where he was a past master. He served on the board of directors for the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He also served for over a decade on the Cleveland County Committee of the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. He was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of sixty-one years, Polly Eaker Downs.

Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Renee Downs Smith and husband, Charlie of Casar; the light of his life, his granddaughter, Joy Smith; a sister Joann Pruett of Casar, numerous loving nieces and nephews, and many friends that he enjoyed spending time with.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 from 1:00 to 1:45 PM at St. Paul Baptist Church, Casar.

The graveside service will be held on Tuesday, at 2:00 PM at St. Paul Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev Keith Fulbright officiating and Mr. Derek Bonner giving a eulogy.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul Baptist Church, 337 Hull Road, Casar, NC 28020.

A guest register is available at www.stameytysingerfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stamey-Tysinger Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., Fallston, NC.