Charles Frederick Downs, age 87, died on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at his home.  He was born on August 22, 1937 in Greenport, Long Island, New York, the son of the late Chauncey Howell Downs and Marion Bennett Downs-Hager.  Charles was preceded in death by his wife of 27 years, Mary Leona (Walls) Downs on December 17, 1988; his younger brother, Warren, in January 2015; Warren's wife, Norma in October 2017; and a brother-in-law, H. Saulsbury Fisher in February 2018.  He is survived by Mary Alice, who he married on November 11, 1995; his sisters, Claire Downs Fisher of Denton, MD and Roberta A. Downs (with Tammy Klunk) of Lewisbury, PA; the families of his nephews, Brian (with Kim, Emma, Ben, and Gabe) and Charlie Fisher (with Dawn, Lindsay, and Chas.) of Denton, MD, and Keith Downs (with Michelle) of Williamstown, WV; a niece, Susan Whitney with Zack, Tye, Jason and Jazzmin of Dover, DE; step-sons, Ross Bretches, Chris Bretches, and Scott Coleman and their immediate families who knew him as Pop Pop: Will, Grace, Brendan, Carter, Catherine, and Warren; and a host of friends in various parts of the world.

A 1959 graduate of Washington College in Chestertown, MD, he was a fraternal member of Kappa Alpha Order and the Omicron Delta Kappa, a national collegiate leadership organization.  In 1961, he was awarded a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling from Richmond Professional Institute, now Virginia Commonwealth University.  His career included adjudication of Social Security disability claims in Richmond and employment as a certified vocational rehabilitation counselor at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation in Georgia and later at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville, VA where he was also responsible for special administrative projects.  He retired in October 1991 after 30 years of state services.

When Charles and Leona moved from Greenville, GA to Waynesboro in 1968, they became active members of First Baptist Church of Waynesboro where they served in various leadership positions.  He devoted a special interest to outreach mission projects that served others (from youth to seniors), including Habitat experiences in MD, NC, the Czech Republic, and Brazil.

In 1986, Charles introduced the idea for a Waynesboro Disability Services Board to City Council to act as an advocacy committee.  He subsequently chaired its existence for many years.  In September, 1992, he was appointed as the City's Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator until he retired again on March 1, 2009.

Other special interests included traveling on five continents, attending live stage and musical performances, supporting mission and senior community events and exchanging a welcome with a host of good friends.

A Celebration of Life funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 7, 2025 at First Baptist Church, 301 S. Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro, VA.  Pastor Justin Moser and Pastor Kristen Koger will be officiating.  A reception will immediately follow in the social hall.  Interment will be at 2:00 p.m. at Augusta Memorial Park, 1775 Goose Creek Road, Waynesboro, VA.  All are invited to attend.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Music Fund, Valley Program for Aging Services, Schola Cantorum, Wayne Theater, or a charitable health entity of one's choice.

McDow Funeral Home has been entrusted with serving the family.