Coral Eudalene Downes

Today is God’s chosen day for us to celebrate the life, and honor the passing of Coral Eudalene Downes, who went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 6:37pm. Coral was born Coral Eudalene Miller in Barbados on October 6, 1933 to Cecil Ezyric Brathwaite and Emmalese Eudora Miller. Coral was one four of which she was last surviving among her brothers


Coral attended the Modern High School in Barbados. She graduated and assisted her mother and father in the small store they owned. Coral went to London in September, 1955 to study at a nursing school, after the passing of her father in June of 1955. Coral returned to Barbados in October 1957. Coral met her husband to be, Edward Downes, in November 1956 in London, England, and the two married in November 1958. From this union, they had one son, Everton Ricardo Downes. Coral spent the next 13 years working occasionally in her chosen field of nursing, but was primarily a home maker who dedicated herself to raising her son, Everton. In February 1970, Coral left Barbados for New York to work, and test the waters to see if she would welcome New York as her next possible home.

Coral returned to Barbados in March 1971, and began the long process of earning a visa to permanently reside in the USA. In April of 1979, after her divorce, Coral immigrated to New York and was approved for citizenship in March of 1989. Coral worked for the HAVA agency in Brooklyn, and retired in 1999 after serving as a dedicated home attendant.

Coral’s life, like most, had its share of trials and tribulations, yet she was an amazing woman in the way she rose above to have a wonderful life, with her faith at the cornerstone of her strength. Those who had the pleasure of knowing Coral, knew that she was a woman of God, driven by her strong moral and religious character, for which she was uncompromising in her highly held standards. First and foremost, especially in her later years, Coral became a lover of God’s living word with the 23rd and 61st Psalms being her favorites, and serving as her inspiration for weathering whatever life brought her way, with an unwavering fighting independent spirit. Reflecting now, on her reported memories of her childhood, her sense of independence may have been driven by losing her beloved father at the tender age of 21. He was the center of her life. Gravitating towards his love, allowed Coral to savor the good times they shared while he was alive, and gave her the gift and mirror to know the powerful woman she would one day become in his absence.

Coral was known to all as a vibrant independent person with many talents. Though only 4 feet 11 inches in stature, her convictions made you think she was 6 feet tall. She stood up for her beliefs, and always spoke her mind, especially when imparting her much deserved wisdom onto those she deeply loved. She lived life on her own terms, setting lofty goals she strove to accomplish, never wanting to be a burden to anyone. Accordingly, Coral held great pride in her accomplishments. Such accomplishments were exemplified in how this young Bajan women from meager circumstances would one day come to own her own home as a citizen of the United States. Coral understood the power of education to help rise above one’s circumstances, as seen in her pursuit of her nursing training. Coral was made even more proud in the educational accomplishments of her family, in which she achieved her dream to witness both her son, Everton, and her first granddaughter, Ayana Downes, graduate from college. Then go on to see Everton attain his Master’s degree in Human Services. Clearly, Coral’s passion for excellence, which permeated every fiber of her being, was the legacy she would pass on to her future generations. Coral’s accomplishments and drive for excellence were not only witnessed in her educational strivings, but permeated all she set out to do from the meals she prepared, to the clothes she wore. Born into a family that treasured good food, Coral became an excellent cook. For Coral the meal preparation process was not only an art, but a labor of love as she nurtured through her food. She was a passionate woman who loved hard, and put all that love into the delicious meals she prepared. She touched everyone's life from her family to the next door neighbors, and her friends at Food Town down the block, where she would walk and take the bus to get her choice meats they freshly cut just for her. Oh, how she loved “a deal." She was an equally accomplished baker of cakes. Coral was especially renowned for her highly coveted cultural ’rum cake’ that made many, blissfully intoxicated, clamoring for more after tasting the first morsel. She loved traveling, family trips, and holidays where she took time to share all of her recipes and valued and looked forward to this time which became part of our family traditions year after year. She lived for these treasured moments!


Coral was an equally sharp dresser coordinated from the crown of her head to the soles of her feet. Given her generous giving heart, she wanted the same for her son and grandchildren, who she worked hard to ensure always looked their very best. No one was more important to Coral than her son, grandchildren, & family. As a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, her passion in life was to ensure that she could give her family a life better, in every respect, than the one she had, by giving everything of herself. In her typical forthright hardworking strong, yet humble stance, Coral once said, “there was no parenting book when I became a mother, but I did the very best I could.” She was a vibrant light and gift to her family with a giving and generous heart. In an unselfish way, Coral was always moved to help others, while maintaining her own independence. Known affectionately as “Downsy, Auntie, Granny and Mom,” her love was never ending, even if she had a disagreement with you.

Coral’s last words were “Lord, have mercy on me.” Ironically, she always said that when her last day came, that she would want the opportunity to say exactly that, and she did. And now she has returned home. She is undoubtedly one of God’s strong willed favorites, smiling down, always in protection of those she loves, much like when she was alive. For when Coral smiled, she did it with her whole heart.

Coral is survived by her son, Everton (aka Rick) Downes, and her daughter-in-law Vida Chavez Downes; her four grandchildren: Ayana, Angelica, Gabriel and Eva Downes; her two great grandchildren: Taylon and London Elmore; her nephews Peter Brathwaite, Cecil Brathwaite, Wayne Brathwaite; her nieces: Yvonne Riley, Beverly Clark, and Angie Brathwaite; along with a host of cousins, other family members, and dear friends who loved her dearly. She will be greatly missed, but will rejoice in joining her mother, father and her 4 bothers Cecil Brathwaite Sr., Harold Brathwaite, Ralph Brathwaite, and Desmond Brathwaite. Her memory and the legacy of her powerful giving spirit will live on in all of our hearts.

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