Betty Agnes Downs

On Sunday evening, February 17, 2019, Betty “Bett” Agnes Stocks Downs left the chains of illness behind and went to her eternal home. Bett was born on August 6, 1936 in Hookerton, NC to Robert Bruce Stocks, Sr. and Margaret Chapman Daughety Stocks. She resided in Hookerton, NC and Kinston, NC as well as Newport News, VA in her childhood and spent her teenage years in Alexandria, VA where she met the love of her life, Richard “Dick” E. Downs and married him on June 11, 1955. They resided in Alexandria, VA, Amissville, VA, Snow Hill, NC and Culpeper, VA until Dickie passed away on October 27, 2015. Bett chose to move into Dogwood Assisted Living in Orange and maintained as independent of a lifestyle as possible until her death. Bett worked as secretary for Air Force Technical Application Center in Alexandria for many years before going to work in the private sector for an optician. She became an optician herself before returning to the government as a secretary. As the technology age was in its infancy, Bett took both computer science and library science course work earning her the equivalent of Bachelors of Science in Library Science and was responsible for developing and implementing a process of digitalizing and storing records for Defense Contract Audit Agency at Cameron Station in Alexandria, VA. After retiring, she and Dick made their home in Snow Hill, NC for years before returning to Virginia to be close to their daughter and her family. Bett was avid reader, a fierce supporter of the Washington Redskins and rooted for the Arkansas Razorbacks for college football. She was a member of various Disciple of Christ Churches and served as an elder several times. Known for her sassy wit, she had a great sense of humor and a contagious smile. She was vitally interested in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brothers; Robert “Bobby” Bruce Stocks, Jr. and Clyde Daughety Stocks. She is survived by her son; William Ashby Downs, III and wife Kellye, daughter; Brenda Anne Clements and husband Andy, grandsons; William Jeremy Hedrick, William Steven Justin, Andrew Ray Clements, II, Joel Benjamin Chamberlain, Jacob Brendan Chamberlain and Jared Blake Chamberlain, granddaughters; Erin Ashley Hedrick, Kathryn Margaret Tomlinson, and Katelin Ann Shepherd, and 13 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her beloved sister in laws; Dolores Stocks and Carrie Brill, her nephews; Robert Bruce Stocks, III, James Levay Stocks, and Justin Ricky Stocks Brill, and her niece Jerilyn Stocks Anderson. In addition, she is survived by her BFF (best friend forever) Barbara Jones and many other family members and friends. A celebration of her life will be held March 30, 2019 at the American Legion Post in Madison, VA from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will include a feast of eastern NC Barbecue with the appropriate sides. Friends are welcome to attend. No flowers but feel free to make a contribution to any charitable organization. Bett’s favorites were: The Madison Free Clinic (www.madisonfreeclinic.org), St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org) and the Alzheimer’s Foundation (www.alzfdn.org). Fond memories and condolences may be offered by visiting clore-english.com. The Downs family has entrusted Clore-English Funeral Home with these arrangements.