(From Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home)Ina Lee (Massey) Downey, of Sarcoxie, Missouri, passed away at the age of 103 on Thursday, February 5, 2026, in Springfield, Missouri. Ina (Sister, Sis, Mom, Nanny) lived life to the fullest, and she is beloved by five generations of family. Ina, was born December 19, 1922, in Carthage, Missouri, the youngest daughter of the large, loving Massey family.
Growing up in Sarcoxie, they lived on Fifth Street where parents Buck and Lela with children Martha, Jim, Gladys, Guy, Frank, Ruth, Spec, Buzz, and Ina gladly welcomed family and friends. If there wasn’t food on the table, there was “food in the safe.” Ina’s immediate and extended families were her most cherished legacy with 2 children, 5 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
A proud graduate of Sarcoxie High School, Ina cherished her younger days, often sharing memories about neighborhood antics with Ruth and Buzz, selling glass bottles dug from trash cans during the Depression, working at the Red Front dress shop, or playing in the bandstand on Sarcoxie’s Square. In 1940, Ina married Max Fagg, and quickly, the Fagg family embraced Aunt Sister where she found home in the framework of large Christmas and birthday celebrations. Following their dream of farming, Max and Sis moved to Avilla, purchasing 319 acres of land. The marriage was blessed with two children, Jan and Richard, and the family remained active in the community. Ina belonged to the Rebecca Lodge, served in 4-H leadership, and sang alto in the Avilla United Methodist Church choir.
While on the farm, Max built “Sister’s Beauty Shop,” and she operated a hair styling business for almost 20 years, enjoying friend and family relationships with cuts, perms, styles, coffee, and local flavor! On rare weekends, Max and Ina headed to Table Rock Lake for fishing, relaxing, playing cards, and hosting gatherings. Other pastimes included dancing of any kind, bowling, golfing at Sarcoxie Country Club, and crafting. Ina’s handiwork was flawless, whether sewing, crocheting, painting, needlepointing, cross stitching, or quilting. Ina once removed every stitch from a completed afghan because she found an error near the beginning. She confessed, “No piece is complete unless it is perfect.” Ina’s intricate, creative quilts became her crown jewel, as she tirelessly produced these handmade heirlooms for her family, friends, and others.
Max and Ina were dairy farmers until retirement in 1980 when they returned to Sarcoxie and enjoyed the good life of country, traveling, gardening, sports of all kinds, and fellowship with loved ones. In golf, Max beat Sis with his three holes-in-one to her only one. However, in fishing, Ina’s stringer weighed heaviest because Max kept too busy baiting her hook. Sadly, and suddenly, Max died in 1990. Ina remained in their beautiful home on Joplin Street, until she married family friend J. E. (Doc) Downey on May 1, 1992. The Downey’s moved to Carthage, Missouri where they lived happily and actively -- golfing, ballroom dancing, and sharing families until Doc passed in 2011.
Nothing held more importance to Ina than her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even her great-greats. She savored each moment and celebrated them with her captivating smile and infectious laugh, always stylish from hair to shoes and impeccably dressed in one of her signature, color-coordinated outfits complete with fashionable jewelry, purse, and accessories. Whether traveling to spectate a tennis match, basketball game, golf tournament, school event, birthday, or holiday, Nanny Fagg or Nanny Downey was present, cheering the loudest, wanting a win, and especially rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs where her roar echoed in the halls. Over a century of memories, from vivid stories of surviving the meager days of the 1930s to her 65-year battle with diabetes to the dire times of COVID-19, Ina persevered with grace, inspiration, and joy.
Max and Ina were dairy farmers until retirement in 1980 when they returned to Sarcoxie and enjoyed the good life of country, traveling, gardening, sports of all kinds, and fellowship with loved ones. In golf, Max beat Sis with his three holes-in-one to her only one. However, in fishing, Ina’s stringer weighed heaviest because Max kept too busy baiting her hook. Sadly, and suddenly, Max died in 1990. Ina remained in their beautiful home on Joplin Street, until she married family friend J. E. (Doc) Downey on May 1, 1992. The Downey’s moved to Carthage, Missouri where they lived happily and actively -- golfing, ballroom dancing, and sharing families until Doc passed in 2011.
Nothing held more importance to Ina than her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even her great-greats. She savored each moment and celebrated them with her captivating smile and infectious laugh, always stylish from hair to shoes and impeccably dressed in one of her signature, color-coordinated outfits complete with fashionable jewelry, purse, and accessories. Whether traveling to spectate a tennis match, basketball game, golf tournament, school event, birthday, or holiday, Nanny Fagg or Nanny Downey was present, cheering the loudest, wanting a win, and especially rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs where her roar echoed in the halls. Over a century of memories, from vivid stories of surviving the meager days of the 1930s to her 65-year battle with diabetes to the dire times of COVID-19, Ina persevered with grace, inspiration, and joy.
Ina loved the Lord, remained steadfast in her faith, and prayed daily for those she held dear. Ina was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church from Avilla, Sarcoxie, Carthage, to Springfield, Missouri where she lived her last 15 years close and connected to her daughter Jan and son-in-law Ken Bowman. When asked about the secret to a successful life, she claimed, “It’s good, clean living.” Ina’s impact is bold, timeless, and beautiful. She will be missed deeply, but we rejoice in her homecoming with our Lord Jesus.
Ina was preceded in death by husband Max Fagg, of 50 years, and husband Doc Downey, of 19 years.
Family include her daughter Jan (Ken) Bowman and son Richard (Sandy) Fagg; grandchildren, Kelly (Frank) Wood, Kirk (Sarah) Bowman, Kory (Sarah) Bowman, Sarah (Jon) Baker, and Monica (Ben) Roberts; great- grandchildren, Erin (Jeff) Wesselschmidt, Jessie (Justin) Wood-Knapp, Megan (Beejan) Wood-Asady, Kasey (Jason) Silver, Adler, Carter and Emery Bowman, Max, Page and Lela Bowman, Drew and Laney Baker, Noah and Millie Roberts; great-great-grandchildren August Wesselschmidt, Jay, Jace, Jake, and Jordan Knapp, and Scott Silver, newly born in 2026. Nanny was blessed to meet each great-great-grandchild before her passing, and the celebration of her 103rd birthday on December 21, 2025, highlights many cherished, lasting memories.
The family extends a heartfelt thanks to the dedicated team at The Bungalows of Springfield East, The Gardens Assisted Living, and St. Croix Hospice for their unwavering support and compassionate care over the last years, months, and days. We cannot thank them enough for the love they showed Ina and for the support they shared with our family during Ina’s extraordinary lifetime.
Memorial services will be 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie, with Pastor Trey Laveroni officiating. Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Diabetes Association in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.housh-goodwinfuneral.com.
Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie.
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