The funeral service on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 12:00pmEST will be live streamed courtesy of First Baptist Church of Norfolk  please join using the following link:

http://www.firstbaptistnorfolk.org

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Beverly Wood Brown, who died peacefully in her home surrounded by family on October 26, 2024. She was the devoted wife of W. Donald Brown for 57 years, and to that union they were blessed with two wonderful sons, Donald and Shawn Brown. Beverly is the middle child, of three born to the late Allen and Ruth Wood of Norfolk, VA. She is predeceased by her older brother Allen.

She was a lifelong member of The Historic First Baptist Church for her 79 years, where she received an early Christian training and foundation, guided by her Christian parents. As a family, they regularly attended Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, where her mother served as Superintendent. She continued her church membership for 79 years, serving in many capacities: the Missionary Interact Society, Female Usher Board, the Shepherd's Village Board of Directors, the Women's Ministry, Seniors in Action, and Ready Academy. Beverly was affectionately designated as one of Ready Academy's grandmothers, willingly serving as "godmother" to many. Beverly was honored by Seniors in Action as "grandparent of the year" in 2004. In 2016, she was honored by the Women's Ministry as a Woman of Distinction. Giving honor to her father, Allen Wood, who constructed Shepherd's Village, the church's home for the aged, she served as its president for several years.

She attended Norfolk Public Schools; graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in 1963 and received a Bachelor of Science in Social Science in 1967 from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University). She was initiated as a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Gamma Iota chapter in 1965.

Beverly will be remembered by her commitment to service, her kind and gentle spirit, warm wide smile, and light that she cast on all those fortunate enough to share space with her. She dedicated her life to service for the community. She served the citizens of the commonwealth faithfully for 43 as a social worker and supervisor for the Virginia Department of Social Services, retired in 2011.

Celebrating her life, she is survived by her husband, Donald Brown, two sons, Donald (Nancy), Shawn; sisters Alta Booth and Paulette Privott (George); her grandchildren Devir, Saul, Merselle and Drew Brown, and Orlando Wilson; great grandson Orlando TaVaun Wilson Jr.; and a host of nephews and nieces who loved her dearly. She will be greatly missed.