Cleamon Rubin Downs

Dr. Cleamon Rubin Downs, 78, died peacefully after a brief hospitalization on February 7, 2026, in Orlando, FL while visiting his sister. He was born March 6, 1947, in Pascagoula, MS to C. W. Downs and Julia Florene Bright Downs.  Cleamon was a member of the church and choir of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Pascagoula.

Cleamon graduated from Pascagoula High School, Class of 1965. He attended William Carey College (now University) and graduated in 1969 with a degree in Church Music Education/Voice. Cleamon also attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY from 1969 to 1976 and received the advanced church music degrees of MCM (1971) and DMA (1976).

After a brief teaching position at William Carey College, Cleamon spent the remainder of his teaching career at Louisiana College in Pineville, LA from 1979 – 2007 as Chairman of the Music Department and conductor of The Louisianians, a men’s choral group.

Cleamon was a loving son and brother, and a dedicated musician and teacher.  His greatest joys in life were his friends, all of whom he dearly loved; traveling; and hearing from students upon whose life he had made such a special and lasting impact.  His professional positions are too numerous to mention, but includes Singer at Christ Church, Mobile, AL; Choir Director at St. James Episcopal Church, Alexandria, LA; Assistant Director of the Red River Opera Company, Alexandria, LA; private voice instructor; and Music Director at Eastlawn Baptist Church, Pascagoula, MS.

Cleamon was predeceased by both his parents and is survived by his two sisters, Julia Downs of Orlando, Fl and Sonja Padgett of McGee, MS, and many close and loving friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 6, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at O’Bryant – O’Keefe Funeral Home, 4811 Telephone Road, Pascagoula, MS. A service of remembrance will be held on Saturday, March 7, 10:30 a.m., at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3507 Pine Street, Pascagoula, MS, with a reception immediately following.

If you wish to remember Cleamon in a special way please make a gift in his memory to your favorite music program, or to the Departments of Music at William Carey College, 710 William Carey Parkway, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 or the University of the South, 735 University Avenue, Sewanee, TN 37383.

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