Sandra Kay Downs

Mrs. Sandra Kay Jenkins Downs passed away on Thursday February 12, 2026 surrounded by her family, after a long courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Mrs. Downs was born March 22,1942 in Savannah to the late Emory Spier Jenkins and the late Thelma Fields Jenkins. She was a graduate of the Jenkins High school class of 1960. She met the love of her life after graduation, John Herbert Downs and they were married in June of 1961. They committed their lives to Christ shortly after their marriage and this was the foundation upon which they lived and raised their family. After several years of dedication to her children, she went to work at Belk of Savannah, working in several areas but landed her favorite role as a Clinique beauty consultant for 15 years. Her next role was being a “Mimi” to her grandchildren. She and her husband also enjoyed traveling to their favorite spot in Highlands and Cashiers, N.C. as well as cross country road trips to the Northwest to visit grandchildren. Kay’s greatest love was for her immediate and extended family, always making each family gathering a special event. Her food presentations could rival even Southern Living magazine covers.

Kay was a former member of Southside Baptist Church of Savannah and for the last several years, she and John were members of Skidaway Island Baptist Church. One of the greatest blessings after her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, was her time spent at the Hope Arbor Alzheimer’s program, a ministry of Isle of Hope Methodist Church where she was surrounded by the love and support of dedicated volunteers and friends who were walking the same Alzheimer’s journey.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Emory Arnold Jenkins and Judy Jenkins Findley. She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years who was her committed caretaker, John Herbert Downs; as well as four children, Tammy Downs Kicklighter (Jimmy), Barrett Downs (Helen), Kelly Downs Faircloth (Robert) and Susan Downs Ellenwood (Pete). She was “Mimi” to 8 grandchildren: Alex Downs (Jess), Lucy Downs, Sebastian Downs, Tyler Faircloth (Disney), Erin Faircloth, Ansley Faircloth, Ryan Ellenwood (Stella) and Katie Ellenwood. She was recently blessed with two great grandchildren, Joshua Ellenwood and Olive Faircloth.

The family would like to express sincere appreciation to the staff of Spanish Oaks Hospice for their extraordinary care, Antoinette, Colby, Debbie and Erica.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Baker McCullough Funeral Home, Hodgson Memorial Chapel (7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, GA 31406).

Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens (315 Greenwich Road, Savannah, GA 31406).

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Spanish Oaks Hospice (8510 Whitefield Avenue, Savannah, GA 31406) or Hope Arbor (412 Parkersburg Road, Savannah, GA 31406)