Obituary of John Collier Brown

John C. Brown, Sr., age 80, of Amherst, VA, formerly of Millville died on Monday, November 17th 2014, following an extended illness. He was born in Portsmouth, VA to the late William V. Brown and Myrtle H. (Truax). Prior to his retirement, John had been employed as a mold maker at Wheaton Industries for 34 years where he was a member of the Flint Glass Workers Union. He was a 25 year member of the Millville Fire Department where he served as Deputy Chief. He was a founding member of the One Way Express Bluegrass Gospel Band in NJ and the Tye River Depot Bluegrass Band in VA. After he retired, John drove a school bus for Nelson County Schools where he also worked as an instructor. He enjoyed spending time with his family. He is survived by; his wife of 58 years, Josephine A. Brown (Orbanus) of Amherst, VA; his daughters, Debbie Turpin and her husband, Nelson of Amherst, VA and Renée Whilden and her husband, Rich of Millville, NJ; his son, John C. Brown, Jr. and his wife, Michele of Millville, NJ; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a twin brother, James S. Brown of Ocala, FL; and a sister Maybelle Bowes of Tulsa, OK. Funeral services will be held on Friday evening, November 21st at the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, 1107 State Highway 77, Upper Deerfield Twp at 8 PM. Cremation will take place at Laurel Lawn Crematory in Upper Deerfield Twp. A viewing will be held from 6 PM to 8 PM prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mr. Brown’s memory to the Fairton United Methodist Church, 20 Main Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 or the Wesleyan United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 757, Amherst, VA 24521. A memorial service will take place at a later date in VA. Written condolences can be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com.