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2021 SPECIAL SESSION I


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 695
Commending Annie Laura Downing.
 
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 4, 2021
Agreed to by the Senate, February 11, 2021
 

WHEREAS, Annie Laura Downing, a highly admired member of the Richmond community, celebrated her 100th birthday on January 31, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Annie Laura Downing was born in Fairmount near Richmond and was the oldest child of Mary Sharp and John Richards Gentry; and

WHEREAS, Annie Laura Downing attended Glen Lea Elementary School with her siblings, Elizabeth and John, and was a member of Maple Grove Methodist Episcopal Church South in her youth; and

WHEREAS, in 1938, Annie Laura Downing graduated from Highland Springs High School and enrolled in Smithdeal-Massey Business School; she subsequently worked for Henrico County as a switchboard operator and was later promoted to Secretary to the County Manager; and

WHEREAS, in 1941, Annie Laura Downing married Robert “Pete” Roop, and they had three sons, Robert, Richard, and Ronald, and one daughter, Martha Ann; and

WHEREAS, in 1950, Annie Laura Downing and her family moved to Highland Springs, joining Highland Springs United Methodist Church; her compassion and deep faith led her to join the United Methodist Women to help the less fortunate; and

WHEREAS, in 1966, following the loss of her beloved husband, Pete, Annie Laura Downing supported her children by working at Woody Funeral Home on Laburnum Avenue; and

WHEREAS, in 1969, while vacationing with a friend, Annie Laura Downing was introduced to Charlie Downing of Indiana, and after a long-distance courtship, the couple married in 1973 and spent the next 13 years in Indiana; and

WHEREAS, after Charlie retired, Annie Laura Downing returned to Virginia and settled in Mechanicsville, where she joined Shady Grove United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, Annie Laura Downing has been active with the Highland Springs Garden Club and the Rural Point Homemakers Club, and she is a devoted member of the Shady Grove United Methodist Women, having served as vice president and spiritual life coordinator; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Annie Laura Downing on the occasion of her 100th birthday; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Annie Laura Downing as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for her achievements in service to her community and the Commonwealth.