Hannie Leslie Brown passed away peacefully February 25, 2023, at his home. He was born
May 20, 1951, in Baskerville, Virginia to the late James Conway Brown and Annie Rea Jones
Brown Bowers. The second child born unto this union, and the oldest brother of his siblings. He
received his education from Mecklenburg County Public Schools.
Hannie was a strong person who spoke his mind and stood his ground. He was never scared to
take on new opportunities as he lived his life fully, passionately, and courageously. Losing his
father as an adolescent forced Hannie to take on the challenges of the world early and he never
relented. He was also an outgoing person with a charming personality and was loved by all his
friends and family. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking, and a glass of smooth brandy.
He had a spirit for adventure which led him to reside in Washington, DC and Richmond, VA.
While in Richmond, Hannie was employed by Lovings Produce Co as delivery driver, and he
acquired the nickname “Downtown Brown” which stuck with him forever. In his later years, he
returned home and was employed by Jones Apparel until retirement. Unable to settle into
retirement, Hannie began landscaping locally. You may have crossed his path driving his lawn
mower around Chase City.
On April 23, 1969, Hannie was joined in matrimony to Bessie Mae Tucker and from this union
one son was born, Lensley Anthony Brown.
More recently, Hannie met Mary Whitlow and the two began a life together. Mary’s family
welcomed him with open arms creating an unwavering bond. For the last seventeen years,
Mary’s children and grandchildren called him “Pops” as they created lifelong memories.
Hannie was proceeded in death by his parents, stepfather Carol Bowers, 3 sisters, Connie,
Michelle, and Rosalind.
Hannie leaves to cherish his memory a son, Lensley Brown of Tennessee, eight sisters,
Barbara Finley-Winckler (Thomas), Cheryl Coleman, Joyce Minor, Joan Baskerville, Shelia
Jones (Dean), Lisa Chandler (Lance), Marilyn Bowers-Owens (Percell), Saudia Halim
(Amadou), three brothers, Perry Brown, James Brown (Rachel) and Keith Bowers (Doretha),
two adoptive brothers, Ronnie Blackwell and Clarence Harris, two aunts, Rosa-Lee Simmons,
and Rebecca Wilson, and a host of nieces and nephews. A devoted friend, Mary Whitlow and
her family, children Christy and Bug Whitlow, grandchildren, Shannon (Gabrielle), Jamie
(Lillian), Michael, Kristin, Kingston, and LeeAna.
Funeral services for Mr. Hannie L. Brown will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, March 2, 2023,
at Sharon Baptist Church in Baskerville, VA with Rev. Earl Walker, officiating. Burial will follow
at the family cemetery, Baskerville, VA. Wood Funeral Service is serving the family. Condolences may be expressed at www.woodfuneralservice.com