On November 28, 2025, surrounded by the love she poured into her family, Arlene N. Brown, 88 of (Charles City County, VA), was called to her heavenly home after a brief and unexpected injury.
A devoted mother of seven and woman of God, she was the heart of her family. A faithful homemaker who taught the values of love, generosity and selflessness.
Church brought her great joy. She remained a faithful member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church until her health made attendance difficult. She held a deep affection for her Pastor, F. Wayne Henley, whose love, support and prayers meant so much to her.
As we celebrate her legacy, we remember a woman who led by example, showing us what it means to love deeply and give freely. She was a woman of strong faith with a devoted time for prayer every day and night.
She was a constant in her home, filling each room with warmth and the quiet joy of her presence. As a wife, mother, and grandmother, she provided preschool, daycare, and after-school care to all her grandchildren, whom they affectionately called “Big Moma”. She adored her family and would smile as she shared stories about the children, watching them grow brought her great pride.
Born on June 29, 1937 to the late Farris Cotman and Edmonia Christian Cotman, she was the last of 18 siblings to earn their wings ahead of her. Arlene was preceded in death by her husband William A. Brown, Sr. and her son Marvin D. Brown, Sr.
She leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life six devoted children: William A. Brown, Jr. (Joyce), James E. Brown, Wilhelmenia B. Black, Willie Ann Otey, (Waddell), Carlton H. Brown (Hope), and Nina B. Friend. Fifteen grandchildren, among them she shared a unique and tender bond with her granddaughter Latisha, with whom she embraced with extraordinary love and devotion. Eighteen great-grandchildren, a loving sister-in-law, Lucille B. Jones, daughter-in-law Shanita W. Brown, and a devoted son-in-law, Waddell L. Otey and a host of nieces and nephews, devoted Edmonia Carter, Carolyn Brown, EllaMae Wiggins, Clifford Binford and Harris Crump. Devoted care giver and friend Shirley, “Diane” Hampton.
