Betty Downer Milliken, age 85, of Wilmington passed away Sunday, December 25, 2016 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice and LifeCareCenter.

She was born August 24, 1931 in Laurens, South Carolina the daughter of the late John Bunyon Downer and Jenny Belle Mills Downer. She is preceded in death by her Son, Donnie Thompkins; Sisters, Ruby Manley, Mary Gurber and Dorothy Cox; and brothers Ray Downer and J.B. Downer.

Betty worked for numerous years at Jimbo's Family Restaurant in Wilmington.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Patricia Malpass and husband Sam of Wilmington, Marie Benton and husband Kenneth of Wilmington;, Sylvia Thompson and husband Neil of Leland, Oscar "Buster" Gore and wife Shellia of Wilmington and Chris Milliken and wife Connie of Wilmington; fifteen grandchildren; several great grandchildren; sister, Joy Benton; brothers, Thomas Downer, John Downer and Sam Downer; and numerous other loving family.

A service will be held 11 AM Thursday, December 29, 2016 at Quinn McGowen Wilmington Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Please share condolences and memories with the family by clicking the share a memory tab.

Quinn McGowen Wilmington Chapel, 315 Willow Woods Drive, Wilmington, NC 28409. 910.794.1717