Anne Downs

On December 21, 2017, Anne Downs was thrilled to be able to go home to Heaven and be reunited with so many loved ones. Anne was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on August 22, 1928 to Thomas and Rose Vogellus Parker. She was the oldest of five children. She was a highly intelligent, feisty, Irish woman. At 16, Anne went to work in the office of Hercules Ship repair, which was situated on the Hudson River in New York. While working there she met a cute sailor from Mathews, Virginia who was waiting to ship out on the Midway. He changed her life. She married Thomas Raymond Downs, Jr. on February 9, 1946. They were married for 54 years. They spent the first half of their marriage in New Jersey where they started D&P Embroidery Co., Inc. with Ray's brother Bill, who was married to Anne's best friend, Ruth. Eventually, they moved the business back to Mathews, setting up their shop in Cobbs Creek. Anne worked there for many years as the bookkeeper. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, and her brothers, Tom, Ed and Gene Parker. She is survived by her sister Delores Rose Gorman and children Thomas R. Downs 111 (Suzanne), Linda Downs Hicks (Jamie) and John William Downs (Donna). She is also survived by grandchildren, Kathy Downs Chandler (Paul Hudgins), Thomas R. Downs 1V (Meghan), Kelly Downs Smith (Tyrone), Bruce W. Love, Elizabeth Love George (Aaron), Kevin T. Love and fiancée Tiffany Thurston, David John Downs (Jen) and Jared Downs (Amy). She was also blessed with 17 great-grandchildren, who loved her dearly, and many nieces and nephews who meant so much to her. While Anne and Ray lived in Mathews, they were members of Old Baptist Church in Hudgins for many years. After retiring to the "Chesapeake" in Newport News they became members of Temple Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 from 7-8:30pm at Faulkner Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, Virginia. A Funeral Service will be conducted on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 11:00 am at the funeral home with burial to follow at H.C. Smither Cemetery, Hudgins, Virginia. The service will be conducted by Rev. Wes Taylor, pastor of Temple Baptist Church.