Parkes A. Downing Sr.

Parkes Abbott Downing Sr., 84, husband of Margaret Boole Downing and a resident of Franktown, VA, passed away Friday, June 17, 2011 at Virginia Beach General Hospital with family by his side. A native of the Eastern Shore, he was born in Bridgetown, Virginia on February 18, 1927 to Walter Thomas Downing Sr. and Sadie Richardson Downing. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Johnny Downing and his wife Cindy of Onancock, VA, and David Downing of Franktown; a daughter-in-law, Ann Downing of Wilmington, NC; a sister, Mabel Downing Scott of Conyers, GA; his grandsons, Clay and his wife Danielle, Andy Futrell and his wife Kim, Charlie Futrell and his wife Marla; and seven great-grandchildren, Thomas & Clay Downing Jr., Biz, Hannah, Trace, Liza & Mary Kate Futrell. Other than his parents, Mr. Downing was predeceased by his son, Parkes Abbott Downing Jr., his siblings, Virginia Downing Jarrell, Dorothy Downing Ortwine, Marguerite Downing Flately, Walter Thomas Downing Jr., and Charles Addison Downing. Parkes grew up on the Shooting Point Farm located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. As a shore boy in the 1940's, his time was spent working on the farm. Along with the typical chores, he also enjoyed being on the water, clamming, messing with friends, and sliding into a baseball game or two. Parkes was an industrious young man, hulling walnuts to afford a rifle to hunt deer and delivering telegrams for Western Union while attending school in Newport News. His love of sixty-six years recalls him being lots of fun, having never met a stranger, and his favorite "thing" was his '31 Chevrolet. He attended Northampton High School before serving in the Army Air Force. Upon return from service, he worked over 32 years for the C & P Telephone Company of Virginia. He enjoyed a wide variety of community service. He was the co-founder of the Tom Downing Ruritan Club, served as Chairman of the Administrative Board for the Franktown United Methodist Church and was currently treasurer of the Hamilton Men's Bible class. He served on the Northampton County Board of Supervisors, was past president of the Association for Retarded Citizens and was currently serving as its treasurer. He served on the Executive Committee for the new golf course in Northampton County. He was a member of the Telephone Company Pioneers and a member of the James River Hunt Club. Most times, Parkes could be found in his shop tinkering, building or fixing something for someone, working the garden, spinning a tale or enjoying sports. He was both an Atlanta Braves and a Washington Redskins fan, but his favorite team was the one winning the game. But most of all, he cherished time with his "boys" and Peggy. A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, June 24, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Franktown United Methodist Church in Franktown with Pastor Alex Joyner officiating. A private family interment will be held in the Franktown Cemetery. Friends may call at the Doughty Funeral Home Thursday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00. The family will receive friends at the Downing home in Franktown Thursday evening from 5:00 to 7:00. The family requests no flowers, please. Contributions may be made in his name to The Association of Retarded Citizens of the Eastern Shore, P.O. Box 626, Exmore, Virginia 23350. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements made by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore.