Joseph Brown

Joseph Solomon Brown Sergeant Major Joseph Solomon Brown, 89, of Colonial Heights, completed his mission on January 13, 2018. Joe was born on July 23, 1928 in Petersburg, Virginia. He is joyfully reunited in Heaven with his wife of nearly 70 years, Lois May Brown. His greatest joy and honor in life was to be a husband to his wife and father to their two daughters. He took great pride in retelling the stories of how he transformed from what he called a "character" to a family man after meeting Lois. They married on March 13, 1948 and raised two daughters together, enjoying frequent weekend camping trips to the mountains or the beach, local fishing trips and encouraging their daughters' musical talents at lessons and performances. He also loved being "Grandaddy" to three grandchildren who adored him. As a career military man with honors, he was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne division of the Army. One of his most memorable roles was a difficult one - to escort the remains of soldiers to their families - a role which he performed dutifully and was often commended for thoughtfulness and courtesy by the families of the departed. After leaving active service, he joined the Virginia Army National Guard's 176th Engineers and, among other things, taught map reading in the Officer Candidate School. He retired as a Sergeant Major in 1984 after serving 33 years in the Armed Forces. Never one to really "retire," he worked in construction as a sheetrock contractor after retirement and took up an interest in A/V in order to record services to be delivered to disabled church members. In addition to his wife, he joins in Heaven his parents, Joseph Meunier and Florence Rushmore Brown and 12 siblings. Left to cherish his memory, sense of humor, and unique stories are daughters, Janice Dalton and Denise Lee; sons-in-law, Bill Dalton and Bob Lee; grandchildren, Cass Dalton, Lora Dalton, Tiffany Lee, and Cristen Lee; sister, Evelyn Adkins; and brother, Buddy Brown. He also leaves behind many beloved family members and friends, numerous well-timed jokes & unfinished limericks, and a large collection of VCRs. He was a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and a recent resident of Dunlop House, both in Colonial Heights. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 19, 2018 in the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard with the Reverend William Gibson officiating. Burial will follow in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

Visitation Details

Thursday, January 18th, 2018 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small

Service Information

Friday, January 19th, 2018 11:00am, Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small

Interment Details

Blandford Cemetery