Alphonso B. Downing

Published 10:50 pm Saturday, February 18, 2012

February 15, 2012

Alphonso B. Downing, 81, of 1011 N. Main St., Suffolk, Va., died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at his residence. He was a native of Nansemond County and the son of the late Mary J. Downing. He was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Downing; three brothers, James Downing, Rochelle Downing and Vernon Downing.

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He was a graduate of East Suffolk High School and received a Bachelor in Education and Master of Education from Virginia State College (now University). He retired after more than 30 years in the Suffolk School System. He was a member of Poplar Run Baptist Church, where he was in the choir.

He leaves to cherish his memory, a niece, Mae Tom Bank, of Richmond, Calif.; great nieces, Vernetta Carnell Anderson, of Detroit, Mich., Marilyn D. McCray, of Portsmouth, Va.; great-nephew, Vernon H. Gibson, of New York, N.Y.; other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Monday, Feb. 20, 2012 at Poplar Run Baptist Church officiated by the Rev. James Williams Jr. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Crocker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.