Herman O'Neal Brown

Celebrating the Life of Herman O’Neal Brown Herman O’Neal Brown was born April 4, 1938 in Hartford, Georgia. At the age of four Herman moved to Richmond, Virginia with his parents Lula and Ed Porter. Herman attended church regularly during his early childhood, and as an adult he attended St. Paul’s Baptist Church. Herman attended Richmond Public Schools where he graduated from Armstrong High School in 1957. He later joined the Marines where he served in the Korean War. After four years of service he was honorably discharged. Herman met and married the love of his life Eleanor Wood on June 20, 1959. From their union they were blessed with three wonderful daughters, Tondra, Kim and Debbie. They enjoyed 56 years of marriage. Herman served 28 years with the Richmond Fire Department until he retired in May 1988 at the age of 49. During his life time he was a successful entrepreneur, where he owned and operated Eleanor’s Variety Shop for 53 years. It became a staple in the West End Community. Herman touched many lives in a selfless, positive and giving way. He was a people person, a pleaser and enjoyed great pleasure in making all those around him happy. He had a great sense of humor. He was lovingly known as the “I Got It” or “I Can Get It” man, and that was quickly followed by “How Soon Do You Need It”. Herman loved life and the finer things it offered. One of his favorite saying was, “You know it only costs a little bit more to go first class”. He felt that nothing was ever too good or unattainable for himself and those around him. He encouraged everyone that he encountered to adopt the same belief and it was infectious. Herman enjoyed traveling, especially going on cruises. After his first voyage he remarked. “I just didn’t know what I was missing”. Herman will be missed by all who knew him, especially his sons-in-law who loved him and considered him a second father. Loving memories of Herman will be cherished by his wife, Eleanor Brown; three daughters,Tondra Wilkerson(Barry);Kim Taylor(Mark);Debbie Cousins(Joseph);nine grandchildren,Brandon,Brandi,Lauren,David,Tyler,JaBria,Chandler,Scidney and Jeremy; one sister-in-law, Ann Wood Mallory (Eugene),one brother-in-law, Nathaniel J.Wickham,III;a devoted aunt Georgia Braxton; six nieces; Brenda Boone(Azariah),Jackie Harris(Samuel),Joslyn Ford, Joyce Johnson(Jerome),Dr. June P. Robinson and Natalie Lambert; six nephews; George Braxton,Jr.(Kelly),Anthony Booker, Nathaniel J. Wickham,IV(Shavonne),Andre` Wickham(Daphne),Byron Wickham(Starletta),Mark Mallory(Tyee));five close and cherished friends; Everett Graves, Louis Hatch(Junie),Duke Stewart, Cheddar and Chester Wood; a loyal pet and companion Brodie Brown, and a host of cousins and other relatives.

Tributes

Herman O'Neal Brown

April 4, 1938 - January 1, 2016