Georgia Ann Blaydes Downes

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Georgia loved gardening, and the beauty she cultivated there often found its way into her paintings.

Georgia A. Blaydes Downes went to her Heavenly Reward on August 31, 2026, at the age of 92. She was born on April 29, 1934, in Houston, Texas, and lived a life marked by devotion to learning, art, faith, and family.

Education formed an enduring foundation in Georgia’s life. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas Christian University, preparing for a vocation that would become both her life’s work and a source of lasting influence. She spent many years as a teacher, sharing not only knowledge but also encouragement and imagination with her students. Her excellence in the classroom was recognized in remarkable ways: she was awarded Elementary Art Teacher of the Year for Texas and received Junior High Art Teacher of the Year West of the Mississippi. Beyond her classroom, she gave generously to her profession, holding several offices in the Texas Art Education Association and serving as conference chair on multiple occasions. She was also a proud member of the Southwestern Art Association, reflecting a lifelong commitment to the arts and to the community of fellow artists and educators.

Creativity remained one of the defining threads of her life. Georgia loved gardening, and the beauty she cultivated there often found its way into her paintings. The living color and quiet grace of her plants became inspiration, linking her love of nature with her artistic eye. In her gardening, as in so much else, she brought attentiveness, patience, and joy to the world around her.

Her faith was an important part of her journey. She credited three churches with shaping her spiritual life: Ridglea Presbyterian Church, Arborlawn UMC, and Christ Chapel Bible Church. These communities helped form and sustain a faith that accompanied her through the seasons of her life. She was an active member of several Women's Bible studies groups and treasured the fellowship she found among them.

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Above all, Georgia’s deepest joy was her family.

Georgia was also a devoted sports fan. A proud TCU Horned Frog, she faithfully watched and cheered on her alma mater, and she was every bit as loyal to her Dallas Cowboys. Game days were meant for watching her teams, and she rooted for both through the good seasons and the not-so-good ones.

Above all, Georgia’s deepest joy was her family. She treasured her two children and their spouses, and she delighted in her four grandsons. In each of them, she found pride, affection, and the continuing blessing of family life.

She is survived by her son, Sean (Kathleen) Blaydes and their children, Andrew and Aaron of Burleson, and her daughter, Moire (Jose) Torres and their children, Jordan and Everett of Rosharon; and her sisters, Joan Allen and Lynn Hartman; as well as many other family members and friends who loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Evelyn Collins, Baker Blaydes and her husband, Melvin Downes.

Georgia A. Blaydes Downes will be remembered for the lives she shaped as a teacher, the beauty she created as an artist, the faith that guided her, and the love she gave so freely to her family. Her memory endures in those who learned from her, loved her, and were made better by her presence.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00am on Monday, September 14th, at Christ Chapel Bible Church, 390 N. Burleson Blvd., Burleson, TX 76028, followed by a reception. In honor of Georgia’s lifelong love of art and color, the family invites those attending to wear color as they celebrate her life.

Georgia will be laid to rest with her husband, Melvin Downes, at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Christ Chapel Bible Church South Campus or your favorite charity in Georgia's memory.