Deborah Brown

Deborah Lee (Singley) Brown of Poquoson, Virginia, passed away peacefully at home with her family on November 17, 2025. Debbie was preceded in death by her parents LTC George Townsend Singley Jr. (US Army Retired) and Gene Lair Starr Singley. As a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Debbie filled many roles with grace and love. She leaves behind a void that will be tenderly felt forever.

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, to a military family, she grew up traveling and lived several years in Germany as a young teenager. Her high school years were spent attending James Blair High School in Williamsburg. Debbie attended Madison College and Smithdeal-Massey Business College. After graduation she entered Federal Civil Service and worked as a secretary at the U.S. Army Transportation School, Fort Eustis, Virginia, where she met and married in 1971 the love of her life, US Army Second Lieutenant Robert Russell Brown Sr., who later founded Robert Brown & Associates, Inc. a commercial real estate development company on the Peninsula where he is now a partner with his three sons.

Blessed with countless God-given gifts, Debbie poured her talents into the lives of her family, her friends, and her community. She never held back her compassion or her courage, often choosing to act first and seek permission later, if needed. That boldness, paired with her loving heart, allowed her to make a difference wherever she went. Debbie's legacy is one of generosity, determination and service.

Debbie was an exceptional homemaker, talented interior decorator, gourmet cook and event organizer, whether a Brown-Singley holiday dinner, a large gathering of her many friends, or a wedding at their welcoming home. Debbie contributed to their church, First Baptist Church Newport News in many ways, crafting floral arrangements, interior design and helping plan the church office, new sanctuary and children's building expansion. She loved crewel work, enjoyed her garden club, and her yard was beautiful year-round. She enjoyed antiquing and was the proprietor of her 2 successful antique and gift shops, the Guilded Penny and Antiques East, in Poquoson. Her van trips to Pennsylvania and Delaware Amish country were famous in the family. She loved the beach and deep-sea fishing with her accomplished sailor-husband on their boat "Just Right". Always competitive, one year she won the Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament Ladies Division. Debbie's hospitality on the Just Right was legendary, bringing warmth and creating unforgettable culinary masterpieces on the boat, sharing meals that made every moment on the water feel like home and every angler a cherished guest. She was her family's photographer, ensuring every stage of her children and grandchildren was recorded.

Debbie was a loving and faithful wife to Rob and a generous, caring and loving Mom and Mom-Mom. She is survived by three children: Robert Russell Brown Jr. married to the former Julie Ann Beach; Bradford Townsend Brown married to the former Rebecca Lee Riggins; and David Craig Brown married to the former Carley Beth McLellon. Debbie and Rob are blessed with seven grandchildren: Summer Ann, Robert Russell III, Jackson Vernon, Darcy Elizabeth, Brooks Townsend, Leigh Maren and Russell Lester.

She is also survived by her four siblings, sister-in-law and their spouses: George Townsend Singley III and Maxine Verlander Singley of Celebration, Florida; Robert James Singley Sr. and Angela Lynne Allgood of Bena, Virginia; Barbara Jean and Roger Haak of Toano, Virginia; Jeanne Elizabeth and Brian Hull of Mechanicsville, Virginia; Brenda Brown Hawthorne and Robert Harris Hawthorne of Arlington, Virginia.

The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to Debbie's caregivers, Carla Lewis, Brittany Nichols and Tiffani Gray, whose gentle guidance, unwavering support, and genuine affection as family made her last years full of comfort and love. Your care and companionship of Debbie mean more than any words can convey. Our heartfelt thanks are also extended to her dear friends who showed up week after week and year after year and helped to guide Debbie with love peacefully through her final chapter.

A celebration of Debbie's life will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Newport News, 12716 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News, Virginia, 23606. A catered luncheon will follow at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are encouraged to be made to: YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas, 41 Old Oyster Point Road, Suite C, Newport News, VA 23602, https://go.ymcavp.org/debbie-brown, and First Baptist Church of Newport News, , 12716 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News, Virginia, 23606, https://www.fbcnn.org/resources/sermons/online-giving/ Online condolences to claytorrollins.com.