Linda Downing Blau

Augusta, GA – Mrs. Linda Downing Blau, beloved wife of Mr. William D. Blau, entered into rest on Friday, June 19, 2009 at University Hospital.

A celebration of Mrs. Blau’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 22, 2009 at Wesley United Methodist Church with Rev. Greg Porterfield and Rev. Pat Williams officiating. The body will lie in state from 10:00 AM until service time. Graveside services will be held at Riverdale Cemetery in Columbus, GA at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.

Mrs. Blau was married to William D. “Bill” Blau for 38 years. She was born in Phenix City, AL to parents Mrs. Joyce Smith Downing and the late Lemuel Tyler Downing, Jr. She worked as a teacher for 28 years and retired from Lakeside High School in Evans, GA in 2008. Mrs. Blau graduated in 1970 from Auburn University where she was a member and officer with the Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity. She obtained her Masters Degree in Education from Cumberland College in Boston, MA in 2000. Mrs. Blau was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and the Journeys Sunday School Class. She was a former member of Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church in Augusta where she served as deacon. Linda will be remembered as a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to all.

In addition to her husband and mother Mrs. Blau is survived by her two sons, Maj David Blau, USAF, his wife Andrea and grandson Aaron Lionel Blau of Niceville, FL and W. Daniel Blau and wife Trisel of Charlotte, NC. Other survivors include her brother, Rev. L. Tyler Downing, III; and her sister, Jennie Downing Deese.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Journeys Sunday School Class.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church Building Fund, 825 N. Belair Rd., Evans, GA 30809.

The family will receive friends at the church following the service