Dr. Barbara Holmes Brown, 68, of Waverly, VA passed away peacefully at Bon Secours -Southside Medical Center on December 30, 2022. Barbara Brown was born on January 9, 1954, to the late Robert Holmes, Sr. and Bernice Holmes in Surry County, Virginia. She was a 1972 graduate (valedictorian) of Luther Porter Jackson High School in Dendron, VA. She received her Bachelor's degree in Special Education and Master of Education in Early Childhood Education from Virginia State University and her Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Brown served in the United States Army Reserves for over 10 years and reached the rank of Sergeant First Class (E-7). She was honorably discharged in 1989. Dr. Brown retired after over 40 years of teaching.  Her teaching career began at Southside Training School in Petersburg, VA. Dr. Brown taught kindergarten, early childhood special education, gifted and talented, and was an Educational Diagnostician at Surry Elementary School in Dendron, VA.  She was also named Surry's Teacher of the Year in 1998. She served as a 504 Coordinator and taught homebound students, and adult education (GED) classes.  She was named Teacher of the Year for the 2014-2015 school year by Southside Programs for Adult Continuing Education. After retirement, Dr. Brown worked as the Southside Programs for Adult Continuing Education Regional Specialist.

Dr. Brown was a dedicated and proud child of God. Her membership and service at Jerusalem Baptist Church spanned decades. She taught Sunday School, served on the usher board, and was a member of the hospitality committee. She was a member of the Christian Women's Club. Her faith was her core value, and it directed the many missions of her life.

Dr. Brown was a Diamond Life member of the Williamsburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.  She was initiated on April 1, 1995, being a part of the 42 for Fortitude and a member for 27 years.  In her honor and memory of dedicated and faithful service, from National Headquarters, the Grand Chapter, in recognition of her membership and Vow of Service as a Soror of Delta Sigma Theta and the beloved sisterhood, she has received her reward for 25 years of service.

Dr. Brown served as the Treasurer of the Surry County Lions Club, President, and Treasurer of the Surry County Education Association. She was also a member of the Virginia Education Association and the National Education Association. She was a life member of the Surry-Prince George-Sussex Chapter of the Virginia State University Alumni Association.

Dr. Brown absolutely loved books and was an avid reader. She was a member of the teachers' book club and the mother/daughter book club. She loved puzzles, and Word games like Scrabble and participated in the fierce daily family Wordle competition. She loved spending time with her daughters, Tami and Lesley, who she lovingly referred to as "my girls", and her grandchildren, Madison and Mason.  She was the guiding light in all of their academic and professional accomplishments. She cherished the closeness of her family and the bonds that she had with all of her sisters and brothers. She also loved cruising the seas, traveling to historic places, and spending time in Virginia Beach.

Dr. Brown was preceded in death by her father, mother, and sister, Dr. Joyce Baker. She is survived by her daughters, Tamara (Richard) Inzunza of Lorton, VA, and Lesley Brown of Woodbridge, VA, grandchildren Madison and Mason Inzunza, four sisters, Ilona Wilkins and Dr. Marion Wilkins of Waverly, VA, Jacqueline Hadley (Apostle Joseph) of Chesapeake, VA, and Candice Jones-Holmes of Petersburg, VA, two brothers, James Jones (Alberta) of Chester, VA and Robert Holmes Jr (Gaynell) of Hampton, VA, dear friend Bishop Lewis Allen, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Jerusalem Baptist at 11:00am.  Interment will follow immediately at Holmes Family Cemetery.

Click the link below to watch the live stream:

https://www.facebook.com/events/569305491322257/