Richard “Shirley” Brown, 84 of Charlotte Court House, Virginia, went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. Shirley is survived by his children, Richard Dwight Brown (Judy), Michael Bruce Brown (Janice) Deborah Brown Parsons, and Robert Gene Brown (Hope). Shirley had nine precious grandchildren; Richard Zachary Brown (Melody), Randall Chase Parsons, Amy Brown Hathaway (TJ), Rebecca Brown Johnson (Derrick), Emily Bruce Brown, Michael Thomas Brown, Meredith Brown Reynolds (Stephen), Robert Taylor Brown (Heather), and Jesse Parsons Perrone (Dana). Shirley also had eight beautiful great-grandchildren, Parker Hathaway, Hunter Hathaway, Dustin Johnson, Ryleigh Johnson, Dalton Brown, Ramsey Brown, Ada Reynolds, and Beau Reynolds. Shirley is also survived by his brothers Riley Brown (Jean), Joe Brown (Snooks), Sammy Brown (Wanda), sister Jean Brown Burton, sister-in-laws Barbara Brown, and Janet Brown.

Shirley was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years Hazel “Bonnie” Brown, father, Herman Eugene Brown, mother, Beluah C. Brown, brothers, H.E. Brown and Jimmy Brown, sisters, Nancy B. Tucker and Mary Alice Englehart.

Shirley loved his family and always worked hard to take care of them. He was a tobacco and cattle farmer, as well as, a timberman, logger, and sawmill owner. His reputation as a timberman was that he was a fair and honest man. Shirley and Bonnie raised their children and grandchildren to have a strong work ethic and to be good neighbors. Shirley enjoyed raising a large vegetable garden and inviting neighbors and friends to come help themselves. He found great joy in seeing and having his grandchildren and great-grandchildren around him. This seemed especially true after Bonnie passed and his health began to decline.

Shirley was very active in his church, Bethel Baptist, in Phenix, Virginia, where he served as Sunday School teacher and director, Deacon, and on numerous committees. He also served on the Charlotte County School Board. Shirley was a faithful servant to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and he is with Him now. Praise God!

The family wishes to thank all his friends and neighbors who have cared for Shirley over the years. They received friends at his home, May 23, from 5-8 p.m., as well as, other times prior to the service.
The funeral service was held at Bethel Baptist Church in Phenix at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 24, 2019, with internment in the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Allan Murphy, Rev. Garry Sims, and Rev. Dan Davis conducted the service.

The Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville, VA, was in charge of arrangements.