Henry Marshall Dowdy Sr.

DOWDY, Henry Marshall Sr., of Varina, age 98, died April 25, 2014. He was the son of Lucy D. and Samuel T. Dowdy Sr. He was predeceased by his wife of more than 50 years, Grace Vanderoef Dowdy; their daughter, Dorothy D. Jacobsen (John); and his second wife, Virginia Kelly Dowdy. He is survived by daughters, Grace D. Johnson (Vernard), Thelma D. Phillips (Thomas); and sons, Henry M. Dowdy Jr. (Grace) and Roy E. Dowdy Sr. (Sandra). Henry also leaves behind nine grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, one great- great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. He is survived by one brother, Horace. In 1938, Henry received the first certificate awarded in Virginia under the Apprenticeship Act. The certificate was presented to him by then Governor Price. After his career as a machinist, Henry started his own very successful well and septic tank contracting business. When he retired in 1975, he ventured into land development and home building. Besides his family, Henry enjoyed traveling, fishing on the Rappahannock River, and visiting friends and neighbors at his vacation cottage near Urbanna, Va. Henry was a member of Hardy Central Baptist Church. He was also a member of Thomas N. Davis Lodge No. 351 and a charter member of Lodge No. 272. Family will receive friends Monday, April 28, 4p.m. to 8 p.m. at Nelsen Funeral Home, 4650 S. Laburnum Ave. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 29, 11 a.m., Hardy Central Baptist Church, 4655 Darbytown Rd. Rev. Samuel King will officiate. Interment will follow at Washington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Hardy Central Baptist Church Building Fund.