Elizabeth Boyd “Bernice” Downs, 87, of Chesapeake, passed away Feb. 12, 2020, at the Chesapeake Health and Rehabilitation Center of Chesapeake, Virginia. Bernice was born in Beaufort County on Aug. 24, 1932, to Johnnie and Sarah Ward Boyd. She was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Chesapeake. Her career in the nursing field consisted of taking care of others. She shared a home with her late son, Phillip Wayne Downs, and their beloved Yorkshire terrier.

Along with her son, Bernice is preceded in death by her mother, Sarah Elizabeth Boyd; father, Johnnie Howard Boyd; husband, Oliver Downs Jr.; sisters, Dorothy Perry and Dorlis Mills.

Bernice is survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of Washington Funeral & Cremation in Washington, with Rev. Tim Creel officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home following the service.

Washington Funeral & Cremation is handling the arrangements for the Downs family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting washingtonfuneralandcremation.com.