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Lena Brown Obituary
Lena M. Brown, 85, of Charlottesville, died Saturday, August 16, 2008, at the University of Virginia Medical Center.
She was born January 13, 1923, in Ivy, Virginia, to the late Vernon Dabney Maupin and Susan Gross Maupin.
In addition to her parents, Lena was preceded in death by her loving husband, Burnlee "Ike" Brown; three sisters, Fannie Maupin, Verna Maupin and Mary Maupin Wright; and a brother, William "Bill" Maupin.
Lena leaves to cherish her memory, one sister, Sarah Wilson and her husband, Billy, of Ivy, Virginia; four children, Dora Brooks of Charlottesville, Virginia, Rose Burrell and her husband, Louie Jr., of Hickory, North Carolina, Vernon Brown of Waynesboro, Virginia, and Sherman Brown of Jarret, Virginia; nine grandchildren, Bridgette Brown of Charlottes-ville, Virginia, Lavelle Brown of Arizona, Kimberly Brooks of Lanham, Maryland, Raymond Brooks II and his wife, Tara, of Greensboro, North Carolina, Robert Burrell III of Hickory, North Carolina, Tonya Brown of Charlottesville, Virginia, Natasha Brown of Charlottes-ville, Virginia, Vernon Brown Jr. of Waynesboro, Virginia, and Jermaine Burrell of Hickory, North Carolina; two sisters-in law, Bessie Maupin of Ivy, Virginia and Geneva Brown of Copiague, New York; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, August 23, 2008, at the Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church, 105 Lankford Ave., Charlottesville
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1445 E. Rio Road, Suite 104, Charlottesville, VA 22901 or the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, 3355 Berkmar Drive, Charlottesville,VA 22901.
Condolences may be expressed to the family by signing the guest book at www.jfbellfuneralhome.com
J. F. Bell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.
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Shirley Solomon Parrish
August 15, 2025
To the Brown family: hold on to your precious memories of Lena in your minds and heart.
Keep close those memories and it will seem as if she never did depart.
Wishing you all Peace and Love always.
Shirley Solomon Parrish
Nancy Porter
August 16, 2021
I will always Cherish Your Memories Sweet Lady!!
Shirley Solomon Parrish
August 15, 2020
Remembering you and your family. Rest in Heavenly peace.
Barbara Bennett
August 28, 2008
Dora Ann, Rose Marie, Sherman and Vernon, My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. The Brown and Bowles families were so close when we were growing up that we would spend a portion of every Christmas celebrating our LORD's birth and our friendship. Your Mom was a "jewel"! She touched many lives including mine. Now Lula and Johnny and Ike and Lena can really enjoy that "eternal life" that we all hope to experience one day when we join them. Love, (Edna) Barbara
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Vandrew A Whiting,Jr
August 27, 2008
I know this is a little late but I know
too well what it's like to loose your mother because as you know I lost mine and so did my wife, I know its painful and empty but those feelings with be with you a long time but she's in a better place where there is no pain and she can still be her happy self. Remember we are here for you and we love you all. Joyce and Van whiting,Jr
Sallie Thompson
August 24, 2008
May you know that God is with you dureing this sad time and always. May you be comforted by your memories of her. My love and sympathy Sallie Mills Thompson(Belle)
Debra Fortune
August 24, 2008
Family:
I'm so sorry to hear about our loss because I am part of this family. Lena will missed. If I can do anything please contact me. Luv you all....
Ron Webb
August 24, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Linda Crawford/ Shepherd
August 23, 2008
I have such great memories of growing up in Ivy with the best neighbors anyone could ask for. I still think about learning to dance and churning ( shakeing the butter jar) butter and the wondrful rolls Miss Lena made. I'm so glade I got to see Miss Lene last summer, she had the greats smile. I know she is in heaven now, no pain and she and Ike are so glade to be together again. Thanks for all the members.
Eilise & Roseamrie Johnson
August 23, 2008
To the Brown Family:
May god bless you and comfort you during this time of bereavement.
Robert King
August 23, 2008
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
Sophia Rush
August 23, 2008
***THE BROKEN CHAIN***
We little knew that morning that
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
You did not go alone;
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories,
Your love is still our guide;
And though we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken
And nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.
**To the family** You will always be in my prayers.
Verna Fleming, Bud and Keith Gordon
August 22, 2008
To the Brown Family,
You have our deepest sympathy. May God comfort your hearts, and continue to bless you tremendously.
Nancy Jones
August 22, 2008
To The Family of The Late Lena Brown
We are so very sorry to hear about your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time, and may God give you comfort and strength to get through this tough time.
God Bless You All
Dabney Dade, Nancy Jones and Family
Friends of Lena's
Priscilla Agee
August 22, 2008
Iam very sorry for your lost, I just meet Lena that Saturday and we talked for a long time before she left. I didnt even know her But I could tell she is a beautifull lady.She really touch my heart and I know she will trully be missed.
Sherry-Wilson Gray
August 22, 2008
the loss of a loved one weighs heavy on the hearts that loved them. Trust in God and hold on to His loving hand. He will always lead you through.
Renee Shifflett-Pace
August 22, 2008
lAVELLE, Im so sorry to hear of lenas loss.She was such a wonderful person.I will never forget those homemade rolls she use to make.God Bless her.I will miss her.
Sylvia Hawkins Scott
August 22, 2008
Rose, Sherman and Vernon, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. She was a sweet person and enjoyed our little talks when she would be walking her dog. Will miss seeing her. Keep your hand in God's hand and he will give you strength to go on. She lived a long blessed life. I will always remember her smile and how she always enjoyed hearing my husband sing.
(Sylvia, Daney, Amanda and Eboni)
W. Franklin Bowles
August 22, 2008
My prayers are with you. I will always remember Ms. Lena's smiling face, and the love and friendship she, Ike and the Brown family shared with the Bowles family.
Lessie Sims
August 22, 2008
To the family of Mrs. Brown with deepest sympathy at this so sad of time. Trust in god.
Lessie and Luther Sims
Bonnie Seay-Johnson
August 21, 2008
Ms. Lena fought the good fight and she won!! She's with Mr. Ike now and with God. What a wonderful lady she was. It was a pleasure and inspiration knowing her. To my "little Ikettes," (Dora & Rose Marie) keep the wonderful legacy. Thanks for always being family. Love you,
Madie Marshall
August 21, 2008
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived
okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here
is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you
every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up
and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were
gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for
me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's
chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life
on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not
be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But
one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a
time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will
give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day
was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the
way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick
him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in
your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember
you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2008
Wilbert & Barbara Brown
August 21, 2008
She was a very special Aunt who will be very much missed. She will always be in our heart. Love from a special nephew
Lucille Golden-Blakey
August 21, 2008
Dora & Family:
There isn't a word that can express how I feel for you and your family at this time. The Golden & Brown Family's have known each other for many years and your Mother was always so thoughtful and encouraging regardless of the circumstances.
She has left us but she has left us many wonderful memories that we will have forever.
God bless and keep your family and may you receive strength from his word that he will take care of you always.
The Blakey's
Helen Mills Green
August 21, 2008
Aunt Lena, You will be missed but you are in a better place. May God bless and keep your family in this time of sadness. Much love Helen
Nancy Porter
August 21, 2008
Dora,Sarah and Family, My prayers are with you at this difficult time. May God substain you. I am feeling your pain because Mrs. Lena was a very special person to me. We met 36 yrs. ago when I worked at Stromberg Carlson. She was a mother to a lot of us, her memories will forever be in my heart. Look to the hills from whence cometh your help, your help cometh from the lord, he will never leave you or forsake you he is always there. Love you all.
Cornelia Coles
August 21, 2008
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Claudia Evans
August 21, 2008
Most all of us at Comdial called her "Grannny" - there are a lot of fond memories.
Then there are the Ivy folks that can thank Granny for helping to keep us straight and setting such a good example of how to be a good neighbor and friend.
I know she is singing with heaven's angels now.
Shirley Solomon Parrish
August 21, 2008
Dora Ann & Family,
I was so deeply saddened to hear of your mother's demise. So many memories of her and your family come to mind. I ask that God will be merciful unto all of you with His comforting love.
With love and prayers,
Junita Howard Rose
August 21, 2008
Be still like the grass on a melancholy summer day.
Be still like a desert shrub.
Be Calm and you will hear your loved one speak,in the stillness, in the calm, their love resounds.
If you are still this promise I make you, you will hear the voice of your loves one helping you along your way.
Rose Marie and all of the Brown Family
I am very sorry to read about your mom death. May God be with you all now and forever. You all are in my prayer.
Virginia Pace
August 21, 2008
Sorry to hear about your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. I use to work with Sarah and Bessie at G. E.
Nicole and Curtis Kenney
August 21, 2008
To Mrs.Brooks, Ray,Kim And Aunt Sarah,
We were so sorry to hear about your Loss. We will always remember that sweet face and warm smile that always made my brother Curtis and I feel like part of the family.We will love and miss her. God Bless you all.
Much Love ,Nicole and Curtis Kenney
Ron & Cheryl Sheffey
August 21, 2008
We are sorry to hear of your loss, if there is anything that we can do, please let us know. Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can not heal....
Thelma, Ada & Courtney Whiting
August 21, 2008
To the family of the late Lena M. Brown~
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2007
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