Virginia Downing of 145 Morningside Ave., New York, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003, in Keteri Nursing Center, New York. She was a native of Nansemond County, and the daughter of the late John and Mary J. Faulk Downing.

She was trained as an infant nurse and had retired from the Homemaking Department of the New York City Department of Social Services.

She was a member of Poplar Run Baptist Church, Suffolk.

She is survived by one brother, Alphonso Downing of Suffolk; a grandson, Vernon H. Gibson of New York City; a niece, Lenora Marshall of New York City; a nephew, Shirley T. Downing of Detroit, Mich.; great grandchildren, Charles Gibson, Karima Gibson and Eric Gibson; devoted caretakers, Janie Singleton and Dorothy Martin; and several cousins and friends.

The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, 2003, in Poplar Run Baptist Church, Suffolk, by the Rev. James M. Williams Jr. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at 1011 N. Main St., Suffolk, and will assemble at Crocker Funeral Home at noon Monday for the procession to the church.