George Brown

Retired Staff Sgt. George "Mike" Brown, 76, of 2337 Dupuy Road, Petersburg, entered eternal peace and rest on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009, at Chippenham Medical Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Nellie Savage Brown, his parents, Pearl B. and Robert C. Bland and grandson Michael W. Brown, Jr.

George (Mike) was born July 12, 1932, to Pearl B. and Robert C. Bland in Petersburg. He attended Petersburg Public Schools (Henry Williams Jr. High and Peabody High School). Upon completion, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, retiring after 26 years of service. He returned to Petersburg in 1968, working briefly at Brown and Williamson Tobacco Factory. Upon its closing, he gave excellent service to individuals housed in the Crater Detention Juvenile Home from which he received his second retirement after 17 years.

George was baptized and became a member of Bethany Baptist Church at an early age. Later he joined Faith United Baptist Church and was ordained as a Deacon under the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Mary Bonner. George also, attended Shiloh Temple in Ettrick where he sang with the G.L. Wilson Chorus. In 1997, George formally joined the Metropolitan Baptist Church. He was a very dedicated member and served faithfully in several organizations, among them, the Deacon Board, Male Chorus, Senior Citizens Ministry and Good Fellowship Birthday Club. He was a former member of the Soul Stirrers Gospel Singers, the Metropolitan Sanctuary Choir and the Sunday Morning Praise Team. He was an energetic member of the Oaklawn Bowl (mix bowling league) known for his "strikes" with the Family Affair Team.

George's (Mike) loving and precious memories will always remain with his daughters, Jamie and Laverne Brown of Petersburg; sons, retired Staff Sgt. Michael W. Brown Sr. (Suk Cha) of Copperas Cove, Texas, Airman Brian C. Brown (Mary) of Aberdeen, Md., George (Cadillac) F. Brown (Natalie) and 1st Sgt. Todd A. Brown (Pamela) of Rineyville, Ky.; grandchildren, Master Nathaniel A. Brown of Durham, N.C., Master Steven C. Brown (Meriem) of Copperas Cove, Texas, Miss Tivona A. Brown of Rineyville, Ky., Miss Mae Alice Brown of Aberdeen, Md., Master Lavar M. Brown of Petersburg; great grandchildren, Christopher, Maven and Mieisha of Copperas Cove, Texas; sisters, Nadine B. Roberts of Ettrick, Allison B. Tucker of Dinwiddie; brothers, Sidney "Scotty" Bland of Petersburg, Robert Bland of Lansing, Mich.; brother-in-law, Kenneth L. Myrick of Petersburg, sister-in-law, Ada S. Pulley (John) of Petersburg; aunts, Martha and Nancy Brown of Petersburg; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, devoted childhood friends, Herbert V. Coulton, Leroy Fultz of Petersburg and other devoted friends, the Rev. John Miller, and Mrs. Bernice Harvell.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, at Metropolitan Baptist Church. Interment will be at Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery. Pastor, the Rev. William N. Bland Jr. will officiate. The family will receive friends Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Chapel of William N. Bland & Son Funeral home. The family may be contacted by calling Laverne Brown 861-1665. Family and friends attending may assemble one hour prior to service at 2337 Dupuy Road, Petersburg.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the staff of William N. Bland & Son Funeral Home, (804) 732-7841, now serving from three locations, Petersburg, Hopewell and Waverly. Please send online condolences to www.blandenterprisesinc.com.