Elinor Mays White Downey, age 86, of 1412 Bryant Street, Clifton Forge, Virginia, died Monday, October 27, 2014 at her residence.

She was born November 2, 1927 in Monroe, Virginia, to the late Thomas Jackson White and Nettie Sue Mays White Persinger.

She was a retired Commissioner of the Revenue for the City of Clifton Forge.

She was a member of Oak Hill Bible Church and a former member of Clifton Forge Baptist Church, where she served as a leader of the Women's Mission Group, a Vacation Bible School Director, and a Sunday School teacher.

She was also a former member of the Business and Professional Women's Club.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Garfield "Bill" Downey; her step father, Charles E. Persinger, Sr.; and a son-in-law, John Thomas Webb.

She is survived by two daughters, Rebecca Sue "Becky" Webb of Bon Air, and Janet Lynn Seay and husband, Charles of Clifton Forge; a son, William G. "Buddy" Downey, Jr. and wife, Dolores Jean of Reedy, WV; a brother, Charles E. Persinger, Jr. and wife, Donna of West Point, UT; six grandchildren, Catherine Webb, John Webb, Joshua Downey, Heather Downey, Rachel Downey and Jessica Seay; two great grandchildren, Mackenzie Webb and Garrett Webb; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend Roger Bush officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Clifton Forge. Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends attending the service.

The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Oak Hill Bible Church, 1601 Chestnut Street, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.