Elma Stanley Dowdy, 79, of Laurel Fork passed away on Monday, February 05, 2007 at Twin County Regional Hospital after a long illness. Born February 22, 1927 in Laurel Fork, she was the eldest daughter of Lura B. and Jeff Stanley. She was preceded in death by her late beloved husband Winston Edward Dowdy, and grandson Christopher S. Ward. Mrs. Dowdy is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and David Ciotti of Annandale, VA; her sister, Oneta Turner of Laurel Fork; and her brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Pat Stanley of Laurel Fork. She was a 1947 graduate of Radford University and remained an active alumna though out her lifetime. She was honored by RU with numerous recognitions for her service. In 1996, she was honored in the presence of her daughter and son-in-law, with the RU Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Foundation. She was the President of the Alumni Association from 1968-70 and received the Alumni Association Outstanding Service Award in 1982. She was a member of the Society of 1910 and was named Honorary Chair of the Universitys Building a Legacy Campaign. She established a number of scholarship awards, including the Winston & Elma Stanley Dowdy Family Scholarship. Over 25 students have benefited from her generosity. She retired from the OFC Corporation, Washington DC in 1993, after 46 years of employment as their comptroller.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 7, 2007 at 11:00 AM at the Vaughan Guynn McGrady Chapel, with the Rev. Winston Puckett officiating. Burial will follow in the Branscome-Thompson Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Winston & Elma Stanley Dowdy Presidential Scholarship, RU Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 6915, Radford, VA 24142.