Brenda S. Downs

STAUNTON – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Brenda Joyce (Snead) Downs, 78, of Staunton. On April 8, 2024 she made her journey home to the promised land to be with the Lord Jesus Christ.She was born on August 24, 1945 in Craigsville and was a daughter of the late Charles “C.S.” Snead Jr. and Helen L. (Clark) Snead.Brenda worked for many years as a dispatcher for the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office and the Staunton Police Department, and then as a correctional officer for the Augusta Correctional Center. After retirement she continued to work as a realtor throughout Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County. She received great satisfaction in helping many families and first-time home buyers realize the American dream of owning their own homes in which to raise their families.Her enthusiasm for live auctions and for the excitement of the bidding process led her to obtain her license, and she became the first female auctioneer in the region. She enjoyed participating in sales with numerous local auctioneers.She was preceded in death by her oldest son, Keith D. Downs, with whom she is now in heaven, and a brother, Edward H. “Eddie” Meeks. She is survived by two children, K. Scott Downs and wife Annette of Chester, and Rita Kay Dietz of Fishersville; sisters Linda Armstrong and Kitty Welcher of Staunton; grandchildren Timothy C. Downs and wife Christine of Lovettsville, Anthony Carpenter and wife Stephanie of Amelia Courthouse, Christina Carpenter of Chester, Justin Downs and wife Abby of Staunton, Mitchell Pritt and his beloved Kara Robertson of Crimora; great-grandchildren Jaytin R. Smith of Chester, Elijah D. Downs and Pauline Downs of Lovettsville, and one more on the way; and a beloved close family friend, Chuck Almond whom she loved as a son, and his wife Lynn of Leesburg, Fla.A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of Bear Funeral Home, officiated by Pastor Bobby Campbell. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude’s Childrens’ Research Hospital, or to the Staunton Augusta Rescue Squad.Condolences may be expressed to the family online at bearfuneralhome.com.