Robert L. Brown Sr.

Robert L. Brown Sr.

The Reverend Doctor Robert L. Brown Sr. of Charlottesville, Virginia, departed this life on Saturday, December 19, 2009, after an extended illness.

He was born on May 19, 1925, to the late Walter and Nannie P. Brown of Albemarle County. While his parents worked, Robert was raised in the home of his uncle and aunt, the late Horace and Julia Miller of Advance Mills. He attended the Advance Mills Elementary School and at the age of 16 he moved to Charlottesville with his mother.

Bobby, fondly called by family members and close friends, involved himself in the service of the Lord. At an early age he accepted Jesus as his personal Savior and was baptized into the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Advance Mills, Virginia. He was always a true example of a steward in action for Christ. He attended Bible study classes at the First Baptist Church, thus beginning a journey that would prove to be one directed by his heavenly father.

He graduated from Jefferson High School in Charlottesville and furthered his education at the Phyllis Wheatly Trade School in Cleveland, Ohio. Upon completion of his education he returned to Charlottesville and was employed at Victorious Picture Framing Company and Ivy Industries, where he retired. In addition, he was inspired to exercise his God-given gift of cabinetry making by opening his own business, "Brown's Cabinet Shop." He mastered skills in painting, woodworking and re-finishing furniture.

He knew he had a gift of music and the Lord blessed him as he studied under the tutelage of the late Annie Cole Johnson and Edna Stafford of Culpeper, Virginia. He touched the hearts of many through his music ministry as a director and organizer of numerous singing groups and choirs. His rich melodious tenor voice could always be heard singing, "Yes, God is Real," for he walked with God all the days of his life and knew personally who God was to him.

As a young man he served as deacon, Sunday school teacher, superintendent and in many other leadership capacities in his church. He served as Vice President of the Shiloh Baptist Sunday School Union. In 1973, Robert answered his call from all Mighty God to preach the Gospel. On January 20, 1974, he preached his initial sermon and was licensed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, perhaps the greatest of all of his God's given gifts. The same year Reverend Brown was ordained and sent by God to pastor at the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Ivy, Virginia, and the St. John Baptist Church in Cobham, Virginia. To enhance his biblical knowledge he attended Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville, Virginia, the Virginia Seminary College in Lynchburg, Virginia, and the World Wide Mission Inc., School of Religion in Washington, D.C., where he received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree in 1983.

Pastor Brown was a member of the Ministerial Council of Charlottesville and Vicinity, Chairman of The Piedmont District Baptist Association Executive Board and Music Chairman, and Assistant Secretary of the Albemarle-Nelson Passover Council. He held the position as Moderator of the Piedmont District Baptist Ministers', Deacons', and Laymen' Union for 14 years. He was Pastor Emeritus of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church after 27 years of leadership and Pastor Emeritus of the St. John Baptist Church after 33 years of leadership.

As his health began to fail, Pastor Brown never wavered in his desire to be in fellowship with the saints of God. He seldom missed service at St. John Baptist Church. The church Family was his heart and he loved children of all ages. Pastor Brown was forever a man of integrity and humility. He was blessed with a gift of unusual wisdom and shared it with all who would listen. He was a man of self-respect and caused everyone he met to respect him. He was gifted with inner peace in all situations and circumstances.

Pastor Brown loved his family and had a special love for his grandchildren. He spent much quality time with them in activities such as fishing, swimming, camping and taught them different kind of sports. He also taught them to be God fearing Christians and responsible citizens.

Pastor Brown was blessed with two daughters- in-law, Theresa and Renee, that preceded him in death.

He leaves to love and cherish his life and memories his loving, caring and devoted wife of 52 years, Nell Jean Hill Brown; his children, Roderick Brown Sr. and his wife, Paula, of Charlottesville, Robert Brown Jr. of Dumfries, Virginia, and Michele Wills and her husband, David, of Charlottesville; nine grandchildren, Kamisha Spencer and her husband, Samuel, of Charlottesville, AIC-Jared Brown of United States Air Force, Iraq, Alexa Brown of Charlotte, North Carolina, Roderick Brown Jr., Meicka Wills, Erech Wills, and Malcolm Wills, all of Charlottesville, Caleb Brown of Dumfries, and David Pendelton of Washington, D.C.; one great--granddaughter, Kenniece Brown; and one great- grandson, Jabril Brown of Charlottesville. He also leaves to cherish his memories, his Godson, Minister Anthony Hill; Godsons, Allen and Jerry Johnson and their loving and devoted parents, Ida and Lenwood Johnson; cousins, Eugene and Harold Miller of Earlysville, Mary Cornog and Madeline Miller of Atlanta, Georgia, and the Reverend Elizabeth Scott of New York; other cousins; a devoted brother- in-law, Bishop Luther Hill and his wife, Doris; sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, church family and friends.

We appreciate and thank our church family, relatives and friends for all your support. A special thanks to the staff and volunteers of the Hospice House for the love and gentle care you provided to our love one. Your care and support gave us an opportunity to be wife, children and grandchildren instead of caregivers.

In lieu of flowers, please make your donations to the Hospice House in memory of the Reverend Robert L. Brown. Make checks payable to The Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911.

The Celebration of Reverend Dr. Robert L. Brown Sr.'s life will take place 11 a.m. Monday, December 28, 2009, at St. John Baptist Church, 1595 St. John Road, Cobham, Virginia, with Pastor Kelvin R. Hawkins officiating and Pastor Ricky E. White delivering the eulogy. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Holly Memorial Gardens, Route 29 North, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Friends and family may sign a guest register at www.jfbellfuneralhome.com.

J.F. Bell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.