Russell Jay Dowdy, 93, of Blacksburg died, Sunday, March 15, 2020, at Heritage Hall Health Care Center. He was born in Montgomery County, Va., on July 11, 1926, to the late James Kent and Lena Elizabeth Sowers Dowdy.
Russell retired from Bell Atlantic with 33 years of service. He was a longtime member, deacon, and trustee of the Blacksburg Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He was a veteran of the United States Navy during WWII, serving in the Pacific.
He is survived by his wife, Fleta Smith Dowdy, sons and daughters-in-law, Jay and Cindy Dowdy, Joe Dowdy, Jeff Dowdy, Jerry and Robin Dowdy; six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, a sister, Betty Mae Waldrop, and a brother, Jimmy Dowdy.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at Belmont Christian Church. Interment followed in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Christiansburg. The family received friends Monday evening at McCoy Funeral Home 150 Country Club Dr. SW, Blacksburg.