Elmer Brown

Elmer Brown VANSANT, Va. Elder Elmer Brown, age 88, passed away Dec. 8, 2009, at the Maple Grove Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Lebanon, Va., after a long illness. He was born in Drill, Va., in Russell County on July 5, 1921, to William Arthur and Martha Annie Nuckels Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Draper Irene Hess Brown to whom he was married for 39 years; brothers, Herbert McKinnley Brown, Eddith Garland Brown; and a sister, Thelma Inez Brown Street; brothers-in-law, Virgil Berdine Street and James Arthur Pendell; a sister-in-law, Pauline Ratliff Brown; a nephew, Millard Wayne Street; and a great-niece, Amy Brown. He is survived by his present wife of 29 years, Melster Yates Owens Brown; four children survive from his marriage to Draper Irene Hess Brown, Roger Dale Brown of Lorton, Donna Faye Coleman and husband Denny of Richlands, Ola Gay Clevinger and husband Danny of Oakwood and Kenneth Elmer Brown and wife Valerie of Bristol Tennessee. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Andrea Lynn Coleman Clark and husband Jeffery Dale of Salem, Roger Dale Brown Jr. of Dumfries, Carrie Beth Clevinger of Pounding Mill, Vanessa Irene Clevinger of Honaker, and Corey Levi Brown of Bristol Tennessee; two great-grandchildren survive, Jenna Danielle Clark and Allison Layne Clark, both of Salem. Also surviving is a sister, Francis Lucille Pendell of Bristol; and four brothers, Carl Berkley Brown of Colonial Beach, Emory Ferrill Brown of Spotsylvania, Henry Earl Brown of Bristol and Richard Nelson Brown of Bluff City, Tenn.; also several nieces and nephews; two stepdaughters, Lois June Wright and husband Larry of Blountville, Tenn., and Shelia Kay O'Quinn and husband Louie of Vansant; four step-grandchildren; and seven step-great-grandchildren. He joined the Primitive Baptist church in 1965. He was ordained as an elder in December 1967. He served as an assistant moderator for the Dry Fork Primitive Baptist Church at Vansant from October 1974 thru December 1991 until he requested to be replaced due to health reasons in December 2004. He was an honorary moderator from December 2004 until his passing. He also served as a joint moderator at the Sulpher Springs Primitive Baptist church at Hurley from April 1969 thru February 1990. He then requested to be replaced due to health problems in January 2005. He was an honorary moderator from January 2005 until his passing. He served as assistant moderator at the Lick Creek Primitive Baptist Church from March 1981 until his passing. He was respected by all churches and denominations. He was a dedicated servant of the people and a man of great faith. He entered the U.S. Army in November 1942, serving with Company A 376th Infantry 94th division. As a private first class soldier, he participated in several battles and campaigns in World War II. He was wounded in Germany, therefore, receiving a Purple Heart along with many other medals and ribbons. He left the U.S. Army in December 1945 with an honorable discharge. He was a member of American Legion Post 0164 of Grundy, Va. He was a patriotic citizen who flew the U.S. flag proudly. He was a lifelong coal miner working in Buchanan County for the Red Jacket, Island Creek and Beatrice Pocahontas companies. He retired in July 1976 with a total of 33 years. He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America. He was a hard worker who provided for his family as best he could. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, at the Dry Fork Primitive Baptist Church with Shawn Dotson and Jeff Dotson officiating. Burial will follow in the Hess-Nuckels Cemetery, Fletcher's Ridge, Va. Grundy VFW Post 7360 will conduct military graveside rites. Pallbearers will be nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. M.J. Thakker, members of the Dry Fork Primitive Baptist Church and members of the Sulpher Springs Primitive Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation, 674 Hillsdale Drive, Suite 1, Charlottesville, VA 22901. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Haysi Funeral Home where an evening service will be held at 7 p.m. with Elders Brian Moore and Estil Hackney officiating. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.