VIOLA A BROWN

In the early morning hour, God dispatched His heavenly angels to earth to escort one of his most favored servants to her new home. On February 6, 2016, Viola Alexander Brown departed this life with her family at her bedside. Viola received her early education in a one room school house which was a part of the Public School System of Mecklenburg County, Virginia. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in the church her father and uncles helped to build, Venture Grove Baptist Church in South Hill, Virginia. Viola maintained a lifetime effort to support her family. Viola left Virginia at nineteen years of age to pursue work as a domestic in New York. She later relocated to Baltimore seeking more opportunities. During World War II she worked at American Standard where she met and later married the love of her life, John Wesley Brown whom she affectionately called “Brownie”. They were blessed a few years later with a daughter, Patricia. Viola completed her family by encouraging Brownie to join the church that she now attended, Union Temple Baptist Church. Viola attended Poro Cosmetology School and upon graduation opened her own business “Viola's Beauty Shop”. Her vocation to help people lead her to close her shop in the late 1960's and pursue her interest in private duty nursing. She again enrolled in school, received her needed certifications and began a new career, one that would last until she retired to take care of Brownie who's health was now failing. Viola made it her mission to support her family and church throughout her life. She has taught her younger family members the importance of supporting those in need. Viola was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, John “Brownie” Wesley Brown, eight siblings, sisters: Kate Lee Anthony, Ada Corbin, Bettie (Henry) Purnell & Julia Cawthorne, brothers: William, Robert, Charles & Carlton Alexander. Viola leaves to cherish her memory: two sisters, Willie Belle Valentine of Cleveland, Ohio; Louise Bailey of Baltimore, Maryland and on e brother, Henry Thomas Alexander of Baltimore, Maryland. One daughter, Patricia Lee Johnson, one nephew she raised as her own, Charles Alexander, wife (Ann) and one niece raised as her own, Elizabeth Alexander. Two grandchildren, Rashad Johnson, Wife (Hayward), Tiffanie Grier, Husband (Donnell). Five great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

VIOLA A BROWN

January 23, 1915 - February 6, 2016