It is a Celtic tradition to tell the bees of significant events, as bees are believed to have a connection to the spirit world.
Tell the bees and speak his name! One of the world’s greatest lovers of persons and people has left us. Mr. Johnny Downing has passed from this earth after a lengthy illness that stole his gift of gab but not one bit of his sweetness and charm, not one drop of his wit and humor or loving kindness.
The second son of Parks and Peggy Downing, John Edward Downing was born in Nassawadox on March 5, 1950, and was reportedly a sweet baby and sweet boy, excepting mischievous exploits and adolescent adventures that will go down in history among those in the know.
A member of the Class of 1968, Johnny attended Northampton High School and was forever a Yellow Jacket despite having married an Onancock Blue Devil, Cynthia Jean Serini. He continued his education at the College of The Albemarle on a basketball scholarship and earned his Bachelor of Science and master’s degrees from ODU and Virginia Tech.
The Downings’ parallel careers in education meant that hundreds, more likely thousands, of Eastern Shore youth benefited from their instruction and encouragement. Johnny served as a teacher, director of career and technical education, and principal for Northampton County Public Schools. Johnny’s kindness and assistance to many lifelong friends and acquaintances were well known in both his personal and professional lives. He left his mark on everyone’s memory who ever knew him.
After retiring from the school system, Johnny worked at Onancock Building Supply, adding to his long roster of friends. He was able to indulge his love of woodworking at home and for others, even creating crafty animals just for the fun of it.
Johnny loved to do many things, but his favorite was spending time with his younger brother, David, often mentioning him on the radio with a “Good morning, David!” He filled his time with volunteering and serving on the board of the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC), which included organizing their annual fish fry. Other favorites were growing grape tomatoes and making fig preserves with his grandmother’s recipe.
Johnny never missed calling Friday night football on WESR or posting the weather report from the Weather Deck at Dingley’s Mill, where the kenuten valve was kept under lock and key and he kept watch for the annual sighting of the Pungoteague Possum.
He loved to play golf, pulling pranks, and organizing mystery trips. One of his greatest trips was going to “Pumpkin Chunking.”
Johnny is survived by Cyndi, his devoted wife of 49 years; Peggy Boole Downing, his mother; David, his younger brother; Anne, his sister-in-law; nephews, Clay Downing, Andy Futrell, and Charlie Futrell; godson, Garrett Miles; and Carolyn Upshur and Ernest Upshur, who were his devoted caregiver family; and last of all, Ditto, the “devil cat.”
He was predeceased by his father, Parks Abbott, and his older brother, Parks Abbott Jr.
Family and friends will gather for a private service. A public tribute will be held at the Eastern Shore Yacht and Country Club, with the date and time to be announced.
You might honor Johnny by planting a tree or making a donation to St. James’ Episcopal Church Memorial Fund (memo: Kitchen Renovation), P.O. Box 540, Accomac, VA 23301; the Eastern Shore Youth Golf Club, 14421 Country Club Road, Melfa, VA 23410; or a charity of your choice.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at
www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements are by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
