James L. Brown

James L. Brown NORFOLK - James Leroy Brown, 66, heard a whisper from heaven and he answered God's prayer for eternal rest while surrounded by family Jan. 16, 2009. He was born Dec. 10, 1942, in Wilmington, N.C., to the late Charles Newkirk and Josie McKnight-Crawford. James attended Lighthouse Assembly of God, Norfolk, where he was an active volunteer. He was predeceased by two sons, Fontaine Samuels and Lawrence Newkirk; stepfather, Franklin Crawford; and sister, Queenie Hodges. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife of 34 years, Loretta Butler Brown; a son, Kelvin Northan of Accomack, Va.; three daughters, Norma Newkirk (Tony) of Chester, Pa., Roslyn Ward (Lloyd) of Upper Marlboro, Md., and Veronica Brown (Shajuan) of Portsmouth; two brothers, William Newkirk of Trenton, N.J., and Roderick Newkirk of Atlanta; three sisters, Deloris Miller (Oliver) and Ann Brown (Robert), both of North Carolina and Effie Willis (Derek) of New York; two devoted aunts, Evelyn Jemmott and Minnie Butler, both of New York; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of Metropolitan Funeral Service, 7246 Granby St. Condolences may be offered at www.metropolitanfuneralservice.com.