Rachel Nelcine Firebaugh Dowdy

Rachel Nelcine Firebaugh dowdy, Our Mom and Nana, of Roanoke, Va., born on March 11, 1917, to Nell Sipe and Elijah Gibson, went peacefully to join her family in heaven on December 23, 2009. A long-time resident of the Williamson Road area, she was a member of Huntington Court Methodist Church. She was happily married to Ralph Firebaugh for 32 years until his death in 1970. Nelcine enjoyed a career in retail sales, retiring in 1978 from Sidney's. In 1978 she was married to Frances Dowdy until his death in 1987. She was a wonderful wife, mom, sister and Nana who loved nothing better than spending time with her family. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters, Helen Carter, Lois Thomas, Jane Natkin and Peggy Nininger; her brother, Jack Gibson. Survived by her son, Buddy Firebaugh and wife, Marybeth; granddaughter, Terri Kreider and husband, Kurt; grandson, Steve Firebaugh and wife, Debi; six great-grandchildren, April Collins and husband, Brad, Ben, Haley and Riley Firebaugh and Brooke and Lee Kreider; a great-greatgrandchild due in July; also several nieces and nephews. A very special Thank You, to her wonderful caregivers at Runk & Pratt, Smith Mt. Lake Assisted Living and Gentle Shepherd Hospice. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Huntington Court Methodist Church (Gods Update), P.O. Box 5066, Roanoke, Va., 24012. Funeral services will be held noon on Monday, December 28, 2009 at Oakey's North Chapel with the Rev. Russell Cheatham and the Rev. Jerry Naff officiating. The interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will be receiving friends from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, December 27, 2009 at Oakey's North Chapel, 540-362-1237.