Henry Downing Potter Jr.

Henry Downing Potter, Jr age 76 of Springville, AL, was a beloved family man. Downing graduated from Fairfield High School (1964). He was a 1968 graduate from the University of Alabama where he majored in Chemistry with minors in History and Biology. While studying at the University, a friend arranged a blind date which led Downing to marry the love of his life, Sally.

Downing and Sally married on June 7, 1968, and stood faithfully side by side for 51 years until her passing in 2019. They moved to North Carolina after graduation where he worked at UNC Chapel Hill. The family moved back to Alabama in 1975. Together they raised three children and instilled in them the value of hard work. Downing was a true self-reliant man. In addition to science and mathematics, he was a skilled mason, carpenter, and plumber. He also taught himself how to operate heavy equipment.

Downing and Sally enjoyed spending time together, including working together as a team in the Reproductive Endocrinology Laboratory Department at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Most of all they enjoyed attending their five grandchildren’s activities and studying the Bible. Downing retired in 2008 after 30 years at UAB.

Downing is preceded in death by parents: Henry Downing Potter and Marjorie Brice Potter and niece, Leisa Howard.

He is survived by his sons Larry Potter, Birmingham, and John (Evie) Potter, Ashville, and daughter, Mary (Trey) Cummings, Birmingham, AL; his sisters, Penni (Isaac) Howard of Margaret, and Peggy Potter, Odenville. His pride and joy were his five grandchildren: Serabeth, John Bagley, and Colt Potter; Kinsley and Marian Cummings.

Also, he is survived by his brother-in-law John (Katie) Robertson; nieces Jennifer (Brien) Keith, and Alice (Dusty) Fox; nephews Jack (Deanne) Robertson, and Isaac (Kendall) Howard IV; great-nephews Kyle (Heather) Howard, Dylan and Connor Howard, John Paul and Jacob Fox, Morgan Robertson; and great-nieces Kaiden Howard, Sarah and Corabeth Robertson.

The family will receive friends at Kilgroe Funeral Home in Leeds, Alabama on March 16th starting at 10:00. The memorial service will follow at 11:00.