Joyce Rainier Downs

Joyce Rainier Downs, age 91, of Moon, Virginia entered into the loving arms of her heavenly father on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Joyce was born in Hallieford, Virginia in Mathews County to the late Upsher C. and Mary Lewis Rainier. She was a member of Mathews Baptist Church, the WMU and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for over 30 years. She was also a member of the Mathews Rhythm Band that sings at the Mathews Convalescent Center. Joyce retired from Tatterson’s Green House.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard A. Downs, Sr.; her brothers, Upsher Rainier, Jr. and Melvin Rainier; her sisters, Golden Dutton, Beulah Sadler, Lydia Rowe, Ruth Robbins, Marilyn Morgan, Janice South and Audrey Knight; her daughter-in-law, Debi Downs and grandson, Scott Downs.

Joyce is survived by her children, Leonard Downs, Jr., Debra Harris (Raymond) and Richard Downs (Amy); her grandchildren, Susan Hall (Kevin) and Jennifer Morgan (Gregory); her great-grandchildren, Hayden Downs, Tristan Downs, Trenton Hall, Jaelynn Morgan and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Mathews Baptist Church, Hudgins, Virginia. A funeral service will be held at the church following the visitation at 11:00 a.m. She will be laid to rest next to her loving husband at H. C. Smither Memorial Cemetery in Hudgins, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joyce’s memory to the Mathews Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 8, Hudgins, Virginia 23076. Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, Virginia assisted the family.