Joseph Preston Dowdy Jr.

Joseph Preston Dowdy, Jr., 85, of Madison Heights passed away Thursday, August 17, 2017, at the Guggenheimer Nursing Home. He was the husband of Fleecy Clay Dowdy. Born December 24, 1931, in Halifax County he was the son of the late Joseph Preston Dowdy, Sr. and the late Edith Cage Dowdy. Joseph was a retired lead oiler for Mead/Rocktin Corporation, and was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He also served our country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In addition to his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by a son, Patrick Dowdy; one brother, John Lewis Dowdy; and two sisters, Frances Gibson and Adelle Crews.. In addition to his wife, Joseph is survived by his son, Michael Wayne Dowdy of Marshville, NC; two siblings, Clarence Dowdy and his wife Goldie of Rustburg and Rachel Hamlett of Forest; two grandchildren, Joshua Dowdy and Brandy Sutherland and her husband Bryan; two great grandchildren, Bryson Sutherland and Brayden Sutherland; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be conducted 2:00 p.m., Sunday, August 20, 2017, at Whitten Monelison Chapel with Minister Carl Thurman. The family will receive friends following the service until 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 3140 Chaparral Dr., #106, Roanoke, VA 24018. To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.whittenmonelison.com. Whitten Monelison Chapel is serving the family, (434) 929-5712.