Jerry Lee (Gillette) Downs

Jerry Lee (Gillette) Downs, 83, of Freeport, Illinois, passed away August 23, 2026.

Jerry was born June 1, 1943, in Freeport, Illinois, to Floyd and Edna Gillette. She spent much of her life in the Freeport area, where she raised her three children, Scott (Deana) Kaiser, Stacey Kaiser, and Steffanie (Eric) Zimmerman. Earlier in life, Jerry worked at Food Bonanza in Freeport, but the roles she cherished most were those of mom, grandma, and eventually great grandma.

Jerry married Gary Lee Downs on August 21, 1996. The couple made their home in Lanark and shared more than 22 years of marriage before Gary's passing in 2018. During their years together, Jerry and Gary attended Harvest Time Bible Church in Rock Falls, where they shared in their faith and church community. Following Gary's death, Jerry returned to Freeport, where she lived with her daughter Stacey.

Family was at the heart of Jerry's life, and she especially loved being a grandmother. She was a proud grandma to Ashley Smith, Chelsey Scheid, Sydney Curtis, and Madison Kaiser, and great grandma to Douglas, Owen, and Henry Smith. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her tremendous joy throughout the years.

Jerry also had a lifelong soft spot for cats and proudly earned the title of the family's "crazy cat lady." Her feline companions were never far from her side, and her love for them was simply part of who she was.

Jerry is survived by her children, Scott (Deana) Kaiser, Stacey Kaiser, and Steffanie (Eric) Zimmerman; her grandchildren, Ashley Smith, Chelsey Scheid, Sydney Curtis, and Madison Kaiser; and her great-grandchildren, Douglas, Owen, and Henry Smith.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Lee Downs; her parents, Floyd and Edna Gillette; and her siblings, Bill Levin, Donald Levin, Nancy Meck, & Allen Gillette.

Funeral services will be 11:00 am Saturday August 29, 2026, at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home. Visitation 10:00 am until the time of service. Burial will be in Lanark City Cemetery. A memorial has been established in Jerry's memory.