Jacqueline Louise Pratt Downing

Jacqueline Louise Pratt (Ludford) Downing passed away peacefully at 90 years old on February 28, 2026. She was the daughter of the late Raynold and Reseda (Lareau) Pratt of Middlebury,
Vermont. She is survived by her brother, John Pratt and wife Mary, and sister in-law Dodi Pratt. Her pre-deceased siblings include: Mark, Norman, and Gerald. Her grandparents immigrated to the U.S. from Quebec, Canada so the French language was an integral part of the family. Jacqueline was raised on a dairy farm in Middlebury, Vermont, and as the oldest child, she helped her mother greatly with her four lively brothers. She graduated as
valedictorian of Middlebury High School. She attended The College of Mount Saint Vincent in New York City and received a Bachelor’s of science in Biology/Premed. She then attended medical school, but decided to change her path. She received a masters degree from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. She served as a civil servant to the U.S. Government for 35 years and worked for the Centers for Disease Control, the National Naval Medical Center, the National Center for Health, Statistics, and the National Institutes of Health. During her career, she conducted studies and managed analysts to support the advancement of
public health policies. Mrs. Downing lived in Columbia, Maryland and was married to Col. Joseph Ludford. She was the mother of four children: Joseph Ludford III and wife, Shelley of Williston, Florida; the late
Christopher Ludford; Patrick Ludford and wife Evelyn of Katy, Texas; and Marie Elise (Lisa) Conner and husband Tony of Lake Gaston in Littleton, North Carolina. She adored her
grandchildren: Melissa Ludford, and A.J., Dell, and Larissa Conner. She also dearly loved her six great grandchildren. In 1988 she married Norman Downing, Jr., and moved to Lake Gaston in Bracey, Virginia. She
has four step children: Susan Goldberg and husband Howard; Steven Downing and wife, Adrianne; Scott Downing and wife Lori; and Wendy Kaplan and husband Larry. After moving to
the Lake Gaston area, she was active in the Lake Gaston Ladies Club, the Joyceville Property Owner’s Association, Pleasant Hill Christian Church, and various bridge groups.
She was an avid reader, strategic bridge player, loved gardening, and created beautiful ceramics, paintings, and floral arrangements.
Above all, her faith in the Lord was strong and a guide post throughout her life. She spent a lifetime learning the Bible, participating in Bible study groups and quietly reflecting on her own.
She was often described as an “angel on Earth” because of her kindness and her willingness to help numerous people who were troubled. She would often take people into her home to help
them get on their feet again, which was part of her spiritual connection with God. She was very thankful for those who cared for her in her final years. Perhaps that is a reflection
of God‘s faith in her.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 2:00 pm at Pleasant Hill Christian Church in Gasburg, Va. She will then be laid to rest next to her husband at Mountain View
Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.

Messages of condolence may be made through our website at www.crowderhitecrews.com. Crowder - Hite - Crews Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Downing family.