Henry Hawkins Downing Jr.

1945 - 2024

DOWNING, Henry Hawkins Jr., of Richmond, Virginia, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2024. Henry was born in Front Royal, Virginia on July 7, 1945. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Hawkins Downing Sr. and Phyllis Shelton Downing of Front Royal, Virginia; paternal grandparents, S. Byrne Downing and Kathleen Cook Downing of Belle Air Estates, Front Royal, Virginia and maternal grandparents, Harper Wilkins Shelton, Jr. and Susan Creath Shelton of Richmond, Virginia. Henry was the great-nephew of Henry Hawkins Downing, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates.

Henry leaves behind his beloved life partner of 30 years, Ronald Elvin Guill of Richmond, Virginia. He is survived by stepchildren, James Clinton Southworth of Richmond, Virginia and Mary Ross Southworth of Silver Spring, Maryland, and cousins, Harper Shelton Alford (Carol) of Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Leroy Bertram Alford (Caroline) of Rome, Georgia and David Bright Alford, Jr. of Rome, Georgia.

Henry grew up in Front Royal, Virginia where he graduated from Randolph-Macon Academy. He also graduated from Roanoke College with a degree in Political Science. While attending Roanoke College, Henry was inducted in 1965 into the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Henry served his country in the U. S. Navy and held the rank of Lieutenant J.G. Henry was a member of The Commonwealth Club.

When Henry moved to Richmond he worked for Phillip Morris and was a partner in Commercial Investments Associates, eventually becoming Owner/CEO of his property management company, Old World Properties. When his life partner, Ronald, joined the company in 2001, they began to expand their holdings to include many properties in the Richmond metro area.

Henry was a member of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church for over 50 years where he was an Elder and served on various committees.

Henry's funeral will take place at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 11 a.m. The family will receive guests at 10 a.m. Following interment in Hollywood Cemetery, a repast will be offered at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. The funeral will be officiated by the Rev. Joanna W. Sydnor and the Rev. Calvin H. Sydnor IV.

In lieu of flowers, Henry has requested that donations be made to Shady Grove United Methodist Church, 1781 Shady Grove Road, Providence, N.C. 27315 in honor of his partner, Ron.