Richard Bruce Brown
Richard Brown Obituary
Richard Bruce Brown, age 79, of Blackstone, Virginia, passed away on June 18, 2026 surrounded by family.
Born on October 29, 1946, in Decatur, Illinois, Richard was the son of Mary Louise Pusey Brown. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Louise Brown; his sister, Judith Brown Hinton; and his brother, William (Charlie Bill) Brown.
Richard is survived by his devoted wife of 44 years, Annette Marie Karcher Brown; his three sons, Richard Eric Brown (Carolyn), Christopher Charles Brown (Mollie), and Nicholas Ian Barrett Brown; his grandchildren, Brittany, Samantha, and Christian Brown, Emma, Ryann and Ally Vermillion; his great-granddaughter, Ryleigh Russell; and numerous nieces and nephews, including his nephew Dale Hinton (Shelli) of Blackstone, Virginia.
Known to family and friends as “Dick,” he proudly served as a Naval Air Intelligence veteran during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. After his military service, he built a successful career as a locomotive engineer with Norfolk Western, and later Norfolk Southern Railroad. His passion for children and literacy led him to become co-founder and co-author of the beloved Baby Bookworms Program, which inspired generations of children to grow a love for reading.
Dick married the love of his life, “Nettie”, in 1982. Together they shared 44 years of marriage filled with love, companionship, and countless memories. They enjoyed traveling together and spending time with family and friends.
More than three decades ago, Richard experienced a miracle. Clinically dead and comatose after a heart attack, against all medical expectations, he awakened and began a remarkable journey back to his family.
In the years that followed, Richard often shared the beautiful experience he encountered during that time. He spoke of being surrounded by a love unlike anything known on earth. That experience forever removed any fear of death. Richard knew with certainty that Heaven was real, and he lived the remainder of his life joyfully anticipating the day he would once again be in the presence of the Lord and reunited with loved ones who had gone before him.
Above all else, Dick cherished his family. He took pride in watching his children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter grow and create lives of their own. Richard Bruce Brown’s legacy of service, hard work, love, and dedication to family will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
A public visitation with the family will be held Friday, June 26, 2026, at Joseph McMillian Funeral Home, 1826 Cox Rd, Blackstone, VA from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 29, 2026, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 424 S Main St, Blackstone, VA at 1:00 pm. Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate Dick’s life and honor the many memories he leaves behind.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org) or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
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