Bernard Brown, Sr. of | 1946 - 2022 | Obituary

Bernard Brown, Sr.

May 20, 1946 - November 27, 2022

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, 2 Timothy 4:7

Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you today, you will be with Me in Paradise, Luke 23:43

Deacon Emeritus Bernard Brown, Sr., our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, and friend answered the call to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday morning, November 27, 2022.

Bernard was born on May 20, 1946 to the late George Hayden Brown, Sr. and the late Julia B. Blow in Suffolk, VA. He graduated from Westside High School, Smithfield, VA in 1965. After graduation, he attended classes at Norfolk State University, majoring in Auto Mechanics. One of his great joys was his love for cars. He was employed at Smithfield Packing Company and Newport News Shipbuilding - Huntington Ingalls Industries. In September 1966, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Quarter Master Battalion and Fort Lee, Virginia where he was honorably discharged in 1968. He later entered the U.S. Army Reserve and served his country faithfully until his retirement in 1997. Currently he is retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 37 years of dedicated service. He was a member of the American Postal Workers Union, Past Vice-President of Peninsula Area Local in Hampton, VA.

Bernard enjoyed fishing, working on cars, going to car and real estate auctions and always shopping at flea markets. He loved a good meal.

Bernard was a life-long, faithful and dedicated member of Christian Home Baptist Church. You often would find him leading and teaching Bible Study, visiting the sick and shut-in and working in any capacity that involved kingdom work. He had a cheerful heart and loved to make people smile.

He served the following ministries of the church: Deacon and Deaconess Care Ministry, Golden Age, Men's Bible Institute, Life Line Ministry, Men's Fellowship and Church School Ministry.

He was ordained as a Deacon on August 29, 2004 and was reappointed on October 15, 2007. He was conferred the title of Deacon Emeritus on May 16, 2010. That was his greatest joy - serving and working for the Lord. He was like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bring forth good fruit in his season. You would often find him singing his favorite song "When I Think of The Goodness of Jesus and all He has done for me, my soul cries Hallelujah I thank God for saving me." As his health begin to fail, he still remained faithful to God and the church.

Deacon Brown leaves to cherish his loving memory, his faithful and dedicated wife and caregiver of 52 years, Barbara A. Brown. To this union, two sons were born, Bernard Brown, Jr. and Che B. Brown to carry on his legacy. He also leaves his grandchildren; Jemeil Mitchell, Jaylin Brown, and Maya Brown. He furthermore leaves four sisters; Lorraine B. Graves, Cassandra B. Avant (Joe), Cathryn L. Brown, and Cathy B. Lee (Alvin); his only brother, James W. Brown; sisters-in-love, Margaret S. Brown and Margina Randall; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his awesome support team, Ethel Taylor and Artistine Robinson.

"Therefore He has cast His bread upon the waters and today it has returned unto him."

A public viewing will be held 2:00 - 6:00pm, Monday, December 5, 2022 in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel. A celebration of life will be held 12 Noon, Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at Christian Home Baptist Church, 20123 Longview Drive, Windsor, VA 23487. Mr. Brown will be laid to rest in Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk, VA 23434. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc.