Sterling J. Brown
CHESAPEAKE — Sterling J. Brown was born in Portsmouth on March 3, 1933, the only child of the late Sterling Brown and the late Lelia Bowser Brown Gatlin.
He loved God, family and country and served our nation for 20 years in the United States Army and served in Korea and Vietnam. He earned the Bronze Star with clusters. He retired with the rank of Master Sergeant E-8.
And most of all he loved the Lord Jesus, accepting Christ at an early age. He was a devoted member of Canaan Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pa. In 1995, he returned to his native Virginia where he was reunited with Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church.
On Aug. 9, 2001 the Lord called him home.
He was preceded in death by one daughter, Jenice Brown Jennings.
He is survived by his wife, Lola Brown; five sons and two daughters, Sterling David of Washington, D.C., Edward Carl of Philadelphia, Stephen Laster of Philadelphia, Sherria Lynn Fisher of Hampton, Sterling Junior Jr. of Philadelphia, Stephanie Lola Alexander of Chester, Va., and Stuart Fitzgerald of Philadelphia; as well as 26 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, three aunts, one uncle and a host of nieces, cousins, in-laws and friends.
A Home going celebration will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church at 7036 Chesapeake Blvd., Norfolk. Burial will take place in Quantico National Cemetery. An open visitation will be in Altmeyer Funeral Home, Virginia Beach Chapel, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
To visit Mr. Brown’s memorial site go to altmeyer.com
As a member of Mr. Brown’s Bank Street Church Family and Mae Wiley’s daughter, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to your entire family at the passing of your loved one. Remember, God is in control, and He loves each and everyone of His children.
As a member of the community of Bells Mill.I only knew MR.BROWNS Mother,Mrs GATLIN and her grandson Stuart.We all belonged to the same church.My heart goes out to the family.May God bless and keep you always. Love the Bells Mill Community.
From his oldest daughter to the family members, my condolences on the passing of our father, whom i just found in March of 2001. He will be missed, our conversations were great while they lasted. He shall be happy in his new home with the lord Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Please send me any pictures of my father. Barbara Ann Brown Smith 751 E 161 st apt 15A, Bronx New York 10456.
To My beloved father, thank you for your strenght. Also for bring me and my daughter home. Rest and get some good fishing in.