Melvin Wilson Brown

Melvin Wilson Brown, 96, of Salem, Va., and formerly of Roanoke, Va., and Fieldale, Va., passed away on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at Richfield Recovery and Care Center, Salem, Va. He was born on August 21, 1914, in Roanoke, Va., to the late Beulah Slusher and Claude S. Brown. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita Lucas Brown; and son, Geoffrey Joseph Brown. He graduated from Jefferson Senior High School and took various classes at Kennett School of Finance and VPI Extension and courses at Patrick Henry Community College. His wife, the former Juanita Lucas, and two sons accompanied him to Fieldale, Va. Mr. Brown was a pianist and played clarinet with several bands, N & W, Dokkie and the Shrine Marching Bands. In Fieldale he was pianist and organist for the Fieldale United Methodist Church where he was a member for 35 years. He also played the piano for the Fieldale Rotary Club and the Martinsville Rotary Club. In Roanoke, before moving to Fieldale, he was dough mixer at the Old Sunlight Bakery on Salem Ave. and 5th and then became a route salesman from Roanoke to Martinsville and Henry, Va. Upon being employed by American Electric Power as a mail clerk, he was ultimately promoted to telephone switchboard operator. He then held clerical jobs several years before being transferred to Fieldale to establish a business office, hiring 13 people. Mr. Brown worked 43 years for A.E.P. before retiring November 1979.
During 1971 through 1974 he was elected to the Henry County Board of Supervisors as Chairman. As he was proud to say, "we turned the government around in Henry County." His last official action was to sign the contract for the construction of the present Henry County Administration Building. He also served in the United States Navy during World War II.
He was an avid golfer from his caddying days at Roanoke Country Club and Bassett Country Club where he was among the best. His sons played golf, Ronny in particular while caddying for his father, was asked by a playing partner, "What does your daddy pay you?" When Ronny said, a dollar, my playing partner said, "Doesn't he know other caddies get $2.50?" So my cost went up for caddying!
Surviving are his sons and daughters-in-law, Daniel W. Brown and Karen M. Brown, of Fishersville, Va., Ronald D. Brown, of King and Queen Courthouse, Va., Jerry L. Brown, of Martinsville, Va., and daughter-in-law, Megan L. Brown, of Rustburg, Va.; brother and sister-in-law, Richard G. Brown and Melinda Brown, of Moorehead City, N.C.; grandchildren, Justin Brown, Jennifer Brown, Todd Travis Brown and Christopher Wilson Brown; and great-grandchildren, Geoffrey Hunter Brown, Hayden Eliah Brown, Darcy Leanna Brown, Judah Daniel Brown and Katherine Helen Brown.
The Funeral Service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 11, 2010, at the Fieldale United Methodist Church with Pastor Tom Durrance officiating. Entombment will be in the Roselawn Abbey. The family will receive friends on Friday evening, December 10, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Norris Funeral Services, Martinsville Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the Fieldale United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 218, Fieldale, Va. 24089.
Norris Funeral Services, Inc. and Crematory, Martinsville, Va., is serving the Brown family. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.NorrisFuneral.com.