Edwin Beecher Brown

Edwin B. Brown Edwin "Ed" Beecher Brown, 78, died Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at Augusta Health. He was born February 14, 1937 in Huntington, W.Va, a son of the late Dr. Leland Coffey Brown and Marjorie Mower Brown. After graduating from Staunton Military Academy he attended the University of Virginia and spent two years in active duty with the U.S. Navy. After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia, Mr. Brown enrolled at the University of Virginia Law School where he earned his Bachelor of Laws degree and subsequently worked primarily as a company attorney for financial institutions. Ed had a passion for history and genealogy. He was a member and legal advisor to the Augusta County Genealogical Society as well as a member of the Augusta County Historical Society having served previously as a member of the board. In addition, he was a member of the Staunton Rotary Club and the Wednesday Morning Breakfast Group. He also compiled and published a comprehensive genealogy of the James Brown family of Augusta County, Virginia, which is widely used by libraries throughout the United States. Mr. Brown was active in the restoration of the R.R. Smith Center and other historical projects, and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his son Dr. Edwin Roman Brown and his wife Mirtha Vallini Brown of Lexington, SC; a daughter, Martha Anne Russell of Crozet; grandchildren Edwin Daniel Brown, Anna Sofia Brown, Joseph Boyd Brown, Michael Roman Brown, Genevieve Sophia Russell, and Audrey Irene Russell; a brother, Kirk Mower Brown of Hampton; nephews Kirk Michael Brown and Roman Sachno, III; and nieces Vinessa Miccio Sachno and Erika Adriana Sachno. He was preceded in death by his wife, Yaroslava Sofia (Sachno) Brown, and daughter Dr. Katherine Jaroslava Brown. A life fully lived, with character, purpose and love. Inurnment service will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at Thornrose Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am at First Presbyterian Church, Staunton by Reverend Mary Johns. Following the memorial service, there will be a reception at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Augusta County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 436, Fishersville, VA 22939, or the First Presbyterian Church, 100 E. Frederick St., Staunton, VA 24401. Henry Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.