Lafayette “Ette” Stanley Brown, a beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, peacefully departed this earthly life on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the age of 77. He was born on February 21, 1947, in Williamsburg, VA, to the late Roberta and Ira Brown Jr.
Ette was educated in the Williamsburg-James City County Public School System. Immediately after graduating high school, he was drafted into the United States Army, where he proudly served as a Military Police Officer during the Vietnam War. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Ette worked for many years at Anheuser-Busch and The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, retiring from both, and a longtime funeral attendant and driver for Whiting’s Funeral Home. He also started, built, and operated his own landscaping business.
Known as the “Mayor of the Ironbound Community” and the “Ironbound Santa,” Ette was a pillar of his community, always ready to offer a helping hand to those in need. His caring and generous nature were complemented by a no-nonsense attitude, which earned him a reputation for giving “tough love.” Ette loved spending quality time with his children and grandchildren, often watching his beloved Philadelphia Eagles in the comfort of his man cave. All who knew him will greatly miss his infectious spirit and tough love.
Ette is posthumously reunited with his former wife and the mother of his children, Maude Marie Gray, his parents, Roberta and Ira Brown Jr., his granddaughter Chakayla Spurlock, and sister-in-law Carrie Brown.
He leaves to cherish fond memories his loving daughters, Lisa Brown-Smith, Leslie Spurlock (Tanaka), and Latrelle Brown; grandchildren, Lamesha Walker, Gregory Walker Jr. (Crystal), Courtney Brown, Chakira Spurlock, Cynese Spurlock, Xavier Phillips, Ja’lynn Brown, and Kaiden Brown; his precious great-granddaughters, Midori Walker, Aubrianna Brown, A’Mirra Lipscomb, Layla Walker, and A’Nyse Lipscomb; brothers, Larry Brown, Ira Brown (Joanne), and Sherman Brown (Alicia); sisters, Lillie “Dee Dee” Nelson (Joseph) and Freda Hill; special nephews, Everette Brown and Corey Russell; and a host of nieces, nephews, and many other loving relatives and friends.
Ette’s loving, caring, and giving spirit, paired with his touch of tough love, has left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by his family, friends, and the entire community. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.
