The Shadow
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CLIFTON FORGE — A funeral service for retired Clifton Forge Commissioner of the Revenue Elinor W. Downey, who died Oct. 27, was held Saturday, Nov. 1, at Nicely Funeral Home.
She was elected Comnmissioner of the Revenue in 1977 and served for 14 years before retiring in 1991. She had joined the office in 1969 serving a total of 22 years for the city of Clifton Forge.
She was active in the community and served as a volunteer at the State Police Office, Valley Elementary School in Bath County and served as a trustee of Oak Hill Bible Church.
Elinor Mays White Downey, 86, peacefully left this life to be with her Lord and Saviour Monday, Oct. 27, 2014.
She was home at her residence, 1412 Bryant Street, Fairview Heights, Clifton Forge.
She was born Nov. 2, 1927, in Monroe, to the late Thomas Jackson White and Nettie Sue Mays White Persinger.
She was married Sept. 12, 1945, to William Garfield “Bill” Downey, who preceded her in death in 1997.
She was also preceded in death by her stepfather, Charles E. Persinger Sr. and a son-in-law, John Thomas Webb.
She is survived by two daughters, Bebecca Sue “Becky” Webb of Bon Air, and Janet Lynn Seay and husband, Charles, of Clifton Forge; one son, William G. “Buddy” Downey Jr. and wife, Dolores Jean of Reedy, W. Va.; one brother, Charles E. Persinger Jr. and wife, Donna, of West Point, Utah; six grandchildren, Jessica Seay, Rachel Downey, Heather Downey, Joshua Downey and wife, Amy, Catherine Webb, and John Webb and wife, Susan; two great grandchildren, Mackenzie Webb and Garrett Webb; and a number of nieces and nephews.
She was a member of Oak Hill Bible Church, where she served as trustee and was a former member of Clifton Forge Baptist Church, where she served for many years in the Sunday School department, as a Vacation Bible School director, a choir member, and as a teacher in the Women’s Missionary Group.
She was also a volunteer in the Area 38 Virginia State Police office and a former member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club.
She volunteered at Bath County Elementary School, where her daughter, Janet Seay, was a teacher and reading specialist.
She loved to read, especially enjoying mysteries. She had read the Holy Bible through many times and was happiest when her family was around her.
The celebration of her life was held in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home Saturday, Nov. 1.
A graveside service followed in Mountain View Cemetery, in Clifton Forge where the Rev. Roger Bush officiated.
Music was provided by organist Eleanor Bruffey, singer Heather Williams, and bagpiper, Maj. Burt Mitchell.
Pallbearers were her grandsons, John Webb and Josh Downey, her son-in-law, Charles Seay, her nephews Randy Downey and Ted Carwile, and Oak Hill Baptist Church members, Eric Drennen, Steve Fenton, and Kevin Williams.
The family appreciates the beautiful floral arrangements and suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Oak Hill Bible Church, 1601 Chestnut Street, Clifton Forge, Va. 24422.
