Dowdy, Betty Jane Cumbee

Betty Jane Dowdy, 73, of the Hoges Chapel Community at Pembroke, departed this life Monday morning, March 14, 2011, at Giles Community Hospital in Pearisburg. Born in Maybrook on May 3, 1937, she was a daughter of the late Orbie Lee and Pauline Atkins Cumbee.

She was a devoted member of Riverview Baptist Church in Ripplemead, was retired as executive housekeeper for Marriott in Blacksburg and was a much beloved wife, mother and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Donnie Cumbee. She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved husband of 55 years, Jimmie B. Dowdy; her sons and daughters-in-law, James B. and Carolyn Dowdy, of Dugspur, David A. and Cathy Dowdy, of Mt. Lake, Gregory L. and Denise Dowdy, of Pembroke, Anthony K. Dowdy, of Bland; her brother, Ronnie and wife, Claudine Cumbee, of Pembroke; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Joann and Jimmie Harless, of Ripplemead, Charlotte Hendrickson, of Pembroke, Geneva and Cecil Robinette, of Pembroke, Patty Sessor, of Pembroke, Barbara and Jimmy Langford, of Pembroke; her five grandchildren, Ethan Bussey, Andrew Dowdy, Phillip Dowdy, Garrett Dowdy and Sydney Holmes-Dowdy.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, 2 p.m. at Riverview Baptist Church in Ripplemead with Pastor Shahn Wilburn and Pastor Eddie Kendall officiating. Burial will follow in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at the Kendall Funeral Home, 605 Snidow St., Pembroke, Wednesday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. Online condolences may be sent by visiting kendallfuneral home.com.