Leroy Downey

Following a lengthy illness, Leroy Downey, 77, son of the late Florine Woods, departed this life into peaceful rest on Sunday, August 3, 2025. He was preceded in death by his wife, Valicia “Laverne” Downey.

Leroy was born on December 8, 1947, in Richmond, Virginia, and attended Richmond Public Schools. Once of age, he started working for the Philip Morris Company and spent many years there.

Leroy loved being with his family and hanging out with his friends. He would sing old Motown songs, dance, and even try to play the piano. He was known as a fun-loving person who brought joy and laughter everywhere he went. As a young man, he met his first wife, Doris, and two children were born from that union, Tanya and Bridgette. After a time, they divorced, he had other children, and he met his second wife, Laverne. At the passing of his second wife, he moved to Delaware to help take care of his mother until she was called home, and then stayed there to be closer to his sisters.

Everyone who knew Leroy has a funny story to tell, and just the mention of his name brings a smile to your face, remembering the good times you had with him, and we all remember his obsession with fried chicken.

He leaves to cherish his memories: four daughters, Tanya Ross, Bridgette Brown (Johnny), Dana Downey, Corretta Downey, and one step-daughter, Chimere Stokes-Williams; two sisters, Ida Hill (Jerome) and Charmaine Bohman (Wayne). Fifteen Grandkids, Quincy, Ashley, Jonathan II, Brielle, Dae'Miesha, Quatavia, Tatiana, Damien Jr., Dequanne, Brandy, Keondre, De’Nesha, Tyrone, Daejon, Jaheim, and a host of great-grandkids, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Damien Stokes, step-son Charalamon Stokes, and Step-daughter Wanda Stokes, his sister Jean Alston, both brothers David Artis and Linwood Meekins, and two grandsons, Brandon and Deven Garnett.

 I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7