Betty Jane Brown

Betty Jane (BJ) Brown, a life time resident of Roanoke, Va., died early Wednesday morning, October 28, 2009, at Raleigh Court Nursing Home. She was 83, born on November 20, 1925. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Robert Mason Brown Sr. BJ was a graduate of Jefferson High School and Longwood College. She was the granddaughter of Samuel Harris and Kate Taylor Hoge, two of Roanoke's most prominent and pioneer citizens. BJ will be remembered for her love of life, her love to all mankind and her strong Christian beliefs. She will be greatly missed by all. She is survived by her three sons, Robert Mason Brown Jr. and wife, Anne, David Chandler Brown and wife, Kelly, and Ray Hunter Brown and wife, Cathy; and nine grandchildren, R. Mason Brown III, David, Elizabeth and Daniel Brown, Lynlee and Jon-Michael Grisham, and Olivia, Allison, and Elizabeth Rae Brown. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2009, at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel on Church Avenue. Memorial Service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2009, at the Kingdom Hall on Colonial Avenue.