Phillip Lewis Brown was born on Wednesday, April 18, 1945, in Greensville County, Emporia, Virginia, the 3rd child of 10 born to the late James Henry Brown and Mary Eva Banks Brown. He departed this life on Monday, May 19, 2025.  Preceding him in death, was his oldest sister, Marjorie Brown Wilshire who affectionately called him "Baby," his older brother Herbert Welton Brown, and his younger brother, McKenny Brown.

Phillip enjoyed going to church and at an early age accepted Christ in his life and was baptized. Phillip and his brothers and sisters would all pile into the family wagon and ride to church on Sundays. He was a faithful member of Rising Star Baptist Church.  Phillip became a Trustee and attended church services regularly even though he did not always feel his best.  He was fond of his Pastor Reverend Colonius Avent as they both shared funny stories of them growing up in the country together, working on the farm with a stubborn mule.

Phillip graduated in 1965 from E.W. Wyatt High School and immediately enlisted in the United States Army on August 15, 1965, with the Big Red One, Infantry Division known as the "Ground Pounders."  He proudly served and fought in the in the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1967. After exhibiting courage under fire and being wounded in battle, Phillip received the Purple Heart. While still enlisted, on June 15, 1967, Phillip married Annie Delores Goodrich and to this union, two daughters were born, LaWanda and Phyllis who affectionately called him "Da" and referred to him as "Ma Daddy". Phillip completed his Army active-duty service as a Spec 4 and was honorably discharged in August 1968.  One month later, in September 1968, Phillip became employed at Allied Signal now known as Honeywell in Hopewell, Virginia as a machine operator. He commuted from Emporia, Virginia to Hopewell, Virginia for 32 years, often pulling double shifts and triple shifts. In 2000, Phillip was blessed to retire from Honeywell at the age of 55 and spent the remainder of his days doing what he loved!  He became a proud member of the American Legion, Post 151 Emporia, VA in 1995, serving with honor and dedication for 30 years until his passing.

Phillip had an entrepreneurial spirit, and for many years owned and operated a bushhogging/grass cutting business, but many times he would cut grass for free.  At one time he built beautiful decorative well houses for sale. He would also at times sell the largest, most beautiful heads of collards he grew on his farm, but most of the time he gave away collards and other vegetables from his garden to family and friends. Phillip was also a landlord loved by his tenants as one remarked "he would cut my grass then leave me a bag of collards on the porch."  Phillip was what you call a "gearhead" and self-taught master mechanic, often restoring and painting antique vehicles.  From June to November 1984, he completed courses in Automotive body repair at Halifax Community College in North Carolina. Even at 80 years old he was working on restoring his 1952 Ford pick-up truck.  Phillip could fix just about anything from breaks to timing belts, underground water pipes, wells, carburetors, overhauling engines, and he helped build his own garage! Phillip also enjoyed fishing, especially at his fishponds which held some of the biggest, most delicious catfish. He was always working and if you came to visit, you would get put to work too! He loved traveling with his family to the islands, especially on Carnival Cruise Line where he was a Gold Member.  In recent years, he enjoyed frequent trips with his family to the Brown Simpson Beach House in Hatteras, North Carolina where he enjoyed delicious meals and often said and did, "tip the cook."

As a testament of his giving, heroic, and helping spirit, Phillip without hesitation or thought, rescued his neighbor, Ms. Banks from her house before it burned down to the ground. He was truly a hero to his daughters and others.

At his recent 80th birthday party, Phillip was celebrated, and statements were made about how he loved his family and was a dedicated friend. Words to describe him were hardworking, strong, dependable, well respected, God-fearing, generous, honest, fair, handsome, brave, loving, loyal, and LOVED by many. Everyone can agree that he was overjoyed and proud of his girls' successes in life and especially enjoyed watching his daughters give speeches at various events through the years.

Phillip leaves to cherish his loving memory: his devoted wife of 57 years Annie Delores Brown; beloved daughters LaWanda Brown Owens (Larry) of Mechanicsville, VA, and Phyllis Brown Simpson (Roderick) of Owings Mills, MD; grandchildren Paul Phillip Gaines, ReNata Grace Owens, Gabrielle Gray Simpson and Madelyn Marie Simpson; two brothers, James R. Brown of Emporia, VA and Linwood L. Brown of Emporia, VA; four sisters, Darlene B. Ray (Robert) of Jersey City, NJ, Lucinda Brown of Emporia, VA, Geneva B. Warren (Larry) of Danville, VA and Theressa B. Vaughan (Carl) of Stafford, VA; brothers-in-law, William Goodrich of Richmond, Virginia, and Kenneth Mallory of Norfolk, VA; sister-in-law, Faye Rawlings (Levy) of Lawrenceville, VA; dear members of the American Legion, Post 151, members of Rising Star Baptist Church; dear friends too numerous to name; a host of loving nieces, nephews, special 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cousins, and members of the Greensville County and Emporia, Virginia community.

Thank you for the prayers and support extended to us during this time. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to our father's beloved American Legion Post 151 via cashapp $AmericanLegionPst151 or mail to 304 South Main Street, Emporia, VA 23847. Please include your name and mailing address or email in the memo section.