Caroline Brown Pelton

Caroline Brown Pelton, 85, of Lincoln, VA passed away on July 24, 2025, at Commonwealth Senior Living in Manassas, VA. She was born on July 18, 1940, to Howard T. and Myrtle Leonard Brown of Lincoln, VA.

After graduating from Loudoun County High School in 1958, she earned a BA in English from Earlham College. She began her 46-year teaching career as a Peace Corps teacher in Sierra Leone, Africa, in 1962, where she was the only teacher with a college degree in the school for girls in Freetown. Upon her return to the states, she taught for 33 years in the Washington, DC. Public Schools, first at Cardozo High School for five years, then at Western H.S. which became Ellington School of the Arts in 1974. At Ellington she served as chair of the English department and participated with her students in programs at Arena Stage, The Shakespeare Theatre, and the Folger Theatre. She married Rodney Pelton on November 21, 1987. The following year she retired to teach at Broad Run High School in Loudoun County closer to their home in Waterford and then Lincoln, VA.

Caroline was active in the Church of the Savior in Washington, DC and throughout her life at Goose Creek Friends Meeting in Lincoln, VA. She served on the Friends Wilderness Center Board and the Rolling Ridge Foundation Board.

Caroline brought her gifts of leadership and deep spiritual discernment to the Goose Creek Meeting. For many who were convinced Friends, she was an important guide, helping them to grow in our understanding of the Quaker Way. In times of struggle and national crisis, she was a steadying force that kept our meeting spiritually grounded. While in later years she was unable to attend meeting in person, she was a regular attender via Zoom. Her Light continued to shine very brightly. We will miss her and send our deepest condolences to her extended family.

Caroline is survived by her sister, Peggy McMaster (Len), brother Douglas Brown (Nancy), sister Rachel Flanagan (Craig), brother-in-law, Harry Uram, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her husband's children and extended family. She was predeceased by her husband, Rodney Pelton, her parents Howard and Myrtle Brown, and her sister Nancy Uram.

Caroline's love for her family was evident in the care that she showed in support of their health and education. She will be missed greatly by them and by her many other friends always.

The memorial service will be held at 11:00 on August 9, 2025, at the Goose Creek Meeting House, 18204 Lincoln Rd, Purcellville, VA 20132. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the scholarship committee at Goose Creek Friends Meeting, PO Box 105, Lincoln, VA.