Our Mother is Missing: Walcie Rae Downing

Photo Courtesy of her Descendants

She had a smile that was bright and an inner strength visible in the set of her shoulders and the pert tilt of her head.  She was about 5 feet 6 inches, brown eyed, with short curly black hair that touched her shoulders and weighed around 130 pounds.  As the photo supplied by her family indicates she was attractive, confident and reflected a firm strength of inner pride in herself.

Walcie Rae Downing (also known as Walcie Rae Alston, and Walcie Rae Pearce) was a Native American born July 18, 1924 and went missing December 14, 1956 near Gallup, McKinley County, New Mexico.   Family members believe that she may have been killed in the Grants, New Mexico and the area of the Malpais.  One vivid and stark memory of her children is the assurance she could not stay away from her children. She was very determined to see them and be with them. So for her to disappear from their lives is their indication she was taken from them by person or persons unknown.

When last seen she was wearing a white blouse with blue jeans, an engagement ring, and driving a 1952 or 1954 Ford car, possibly cream or a faded tan,  that some felt may have been purchased in Casa Grande, Arizona where she and her children lived at one time.

She was going through a difficult time with a broken relationship, five children whom she adored and all the struggles such a time produces.  It is believed that she may have been attempting to see her children when she disappeared due to accident or intentional desire to prevent her from seeing her children. Her family has memories of some difficulties along that line and that may help authorities to follow up leads.

There is the distinct possibility, based on childhood memories, that someone may have been trying to keep her from seeing her children or that a third party involved may have in some similar manner interfered with her resulting in her disappearance.

Her children and extended family have missed her, that smile and that strong woman, left a large void in many lives.  Children grew to adulthood without her and friends were deprived of her laughter and care. The lessons of life, courage, love and determination she could have shared with her family never happened.  The guidance and direction she could have shared with others and her society were never put to use. 

Someone, out there, may hold the key....may have memories....may know what happened to this lovely, strong, and full of potential woman.  Someone may be able to, at long last, bless her children with the story of what happened to this woman and respond to them with closure.

Across the years, their voices whisper, "Our mother is missing...Walcie Rae Downing...do know where she is?"

[I was contacted in early 2016 by family members asking if I would profile their mother to inspire renewed interest in her case and I am happy to do so. Her case has been profiled on several missing persons platforms and forums over the decades. These include the Doe Network her case file number there is Case File:  Walcie Rae Downing - 3226DFNM.  Please contact the Gallup Police Department or the Doe Network with additional information. Let's help bring her home to her family and friends.]