Charles L. and Leona G. Brown

Charles “Chuck” Lawrence Brown, 87, of Nellysford, sadly left us on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at King’s Daughters Community Health and Rehabilitation Center in Staunton, following a battle with heart disease.

He was closely followed in death by his loving wife, Leona Grace Brown, 83, of Waynesboro, who passed peacefully on Sunday, January 28, 2024, at River Edge Rehab and Nursing in Waynesboro, after a long battle with Muscular Sclerosis. 

Chuck was born on March 3, 1936, in Minneapolis, MN to the late Colonel Charles Bundy Brown and Evelyn Grace Servaty Brown Nagle. 

Charles was active in his church, serving numerous years as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and served on a multitude of ministries within the church. Notable was his work with prisoners, offering to pray with them and help them through their journey.

He had accomplished so much in his life, including 30-plus years in Coopers and Lybrand (PwC) retiring in Williamsburg, where he found a passion for sporting clays and stained-glass art. He sold numerous works of his art across the country and donated four stained-glass windows to his local parish. He was a private pilot, scuba diver, and captain of numerous pleasure boats. He was the author of a book and had a love for animals, both dogs and cats. They had a great home, family, and life.

His unwavering love for his wife, Leona, is his most beautiful achievement. He supported her while being diagnosed with MS, supported her through her therapies, was her primary caregiver, and was an observer of Leona’s wonderful life for 61 years. Their love for each other is an example for all of us to follow.

Leona was born on November 1, 1941, to the late Nancy and Thomas Ferrara in New York City. 

She is survived by an older brother, Vin, and an older sister, Anne.

She graduated from Saint Patrick’s High School in New York next door to the Cathedral there in 1959. 

She met her husband, Charles Lawrence Brown, while working for the FBI. They were married in the Catholic Church on November 16, 1962, and had two sons who survive them, Gerald Brundy Brown and Gary Charles Brown.

Leona was also very active in the Church, became a Eucharistic Minister, and served as the rectory secretary for twenty years at St. Anthony’s in Rocky Point, NY. She was a pilot and an avid boater for many years, sharing her skills with her family. 

Her love and appreciation for her pets and animals of all kinds was evident throughout her life, having cats and dogs in her home and she volunteered for local shelters, once retired.

Leona’s most amazing attribute was her loyalty. Her loyalty to her husband and her family is a testament to her life and she will be remembered for it. Her love and respect for the Blessed Mother Mary and the Catholic Church was always present in her actions and words. She will be missed wholeheartedly by her family and friends.

In addition to their sons, Chuck and Leona are survived by their three granddaughters, Brittany Lee Brown, Kaitlyn Francesca Brown and Brooke Elizabeth Brown; their great-granddaughter, Mjai Deutscher; and a great-grandson, Nicco Novello.

A memorial mass for both Leona and Charles will be conducted at 10:00 AM on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Saint Francis Catholic Church in Staunton with the Reverend Tom Collins officiating.