Rosa Belle Brown

The life of a great woman begun on September 28, 1921,when Rosa Belle Johnson entered the world to the parents of the late William Johnson and Daisy Edith Mills Johnson. Little did the parents suspect that this life would add such joy to the world of others.Rosa was preceded in death by siblings Samuel,William,Daniel,Floyd,James,John and George Johnson,Hattie Johnson Lewis,and Daisy Johnson Jackson.Rosa received her education in the public schools in King William,Virginia. Rosa confessed her faith in Christ at an early age and was baptized into the Mt.Sinai Baptist Church in Aylett,Virginia. She later moved her membership and united with the First Union Church,where she was a dedicated member,and continue to do God's work in the church until her health declined. Rosa was a member of the Golden Age Club,President of the Traveling Committee,Church and Pastor' Anniversary Committee member for 40 plus years,a leader of the Intercessory Prayer with regular attendance. Homecoming Committee,Flower Committee,and a participant in the eight year mortage burning when the church moved from Moore Street.Rosa was married to the late Frederick Douglas Brown of King and Queen,Virginia on May 3, 1942. In 1948 they opened Speedway Restaurant,later known as Brown's Lunchroom,which was located on Second Street in Richmond. Rosa and her husband operated Brown's until the late 1950's. Rosa and her sister-in-law,the late Myrtle Johnson were a vital part in the making of the video,"Golden Age of Two Street," which documented the history of Second Street in its"heyday." The video can be seen at the Black History Museum,and its part of the museum's archives.Rosa leaves to cherish her memory her devoted children,Fred Jr.(Trudy)of Ayett,Virginia,and Rose Adams(Randy)of Richmond,VA;sisters,Henrietta Powell of Washington,D.C.,Marion Smith of Fredericksburg,VA,and Lucy Lewis of Richmond,Va.;brother-in-law Gwathmey Roberts of Aylett,VA;grandchildren,Taryn Blount(Brian Dyer)of Richmond,VA.Taasha Adams Taylor(John)of Atlanta,GA,Duane Cannon of Georgia,Frederic Brown(Betty)of Philadelphia,TN,and Tiffani Brown Nash(Troy)of Aylett,VA;great-grandchildren,Corey Blount,Kayla Brown,Madalynne Brown,Ramon Reaves,Mason Taylor,Alex Taylor,Avery Taylor,Christian Dyer,and Sydney Nash;a devoted friend and long time neighbor,Mrs.Rachel Allen,and a host of nieces,nephews,cousins,and friends.

Tributes

Rosa Belle Brown

September 28, 1921 - March 27, 2008