Meredith Owen Downs

DOWNS, Meredith Owen, 79, of Varina, died peacefully on December 11, 2008, surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances Downs; his parents, Horace and Louise Downs; and his sister, Marian Frame. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Barbara J. Downs; daughters, Veronica West (Jim), Kay Cannon (Cecil), Teresa Major, Janet Rodriguez (Gene), Cathy Downs and Annie Hudson (Jason); eight grandchildren, Cherith West, Jordan Bach (Matt), Brennen Cannon, Austin and Cory Rodriguez, Avery, Abbey and Audrey Hudson; great-grandson, Matthew Bach II; brothers, H. Dean Downs (Charlotte) and Wilmer Downs (Phyllis); brother-in-law, Melvin Frame (Bess). He was a member of Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church and the Eastern Henrico Ruritan Club. Mr. Downs retired from Philip Morris after 35½ years of service. His family will receive friends Sunday, December 14, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Nelsen Funeral Home, 4650 S. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, Va. 23231, and where funeral services will be held Monday, December 15, 2008 at 2 p.m., in the chapel. Interment to immediately follow services at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Mr. Downs's memory may be made to Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.