Born in Isle of Wight, VA, Frederick Brown, Jr. (aka Fred Brown) was born to the late Frederick and Novella Crawley Brown, and was the younger brother of the late Novella Delois Darden.

The Brown family moved to Newark, New Jersey in 1959 later moving to East Orange where Fred graduated from East Orange High School in 1961.  After Fred's graduation, he joined the United States Armed Forces as a Private in the Army, and served in Vietnam.

Upon his honorable discharge, he moved to Montclair, NJ where he met and married Frances Watkins. From their union were born, 3 children, Erica, Doreen, and Frederick III.  He took his role as a father very seriously, ensuring his family's needs were met and consistently showing the importance of family and friends. He often welcomed loved ones into his home and made sure the family traveled to Georgia to stay connected with maternal relatives. Those trips were made overnight so he could return to New Jersey in time for work. He stressed the importance of managing finances and its connection to navigate life. He often reminded us, "Be on time—your word is your bond." He loved gospel music, and on Sunday mornings he would play "Rough Side of the Mountain," singing along with his children in a moment that brought them all together. In 1982, his job transferred him to Richmond, VA; yet despite the distance, he remained a constant presence in his family's life, traveling the highways to be there for special and memorable occasions.

In 1993, Fred retired from AT&T at the young age of 49, which is a fancy way of saying his full-time job became enjoying life and chasing new adventures.

On March 20, 1999, he married his childhood friend, Evelyn Brown, at Grayland Baptist Church. Together, they settled in Dinwiddie and became active members of Tabernacle Baptist Church. The two joined the Buffalo Soldiers of Virginia Motorcycle Club and rode under the handles, "Bumble Bee" & "Queen Bee".  What began as a shared love of pinochle grew into their journey competing in tournaments across the country.

Fred also found purpose in service and fellowship through his memberships in the Masonic Lodge, Commonwealth 81 of Richmond, VA, the VFW, and the American Legion. At Tabernacle Baptist Church, he remained a faithful servant for 16 years, dedicating his time in recent years to the media ministry, helping extend the church's reach to its YouTube family.

If there was a gathering, you could count on Fred being right in the middle of it, bringing that vibrant personality that lit up a room from his laughter, energy, and contagious sense of humor. He had a playful way about him and a knack for teasing that could get under your skin, get on your nerves, or downright be annoying (his late sister Novella would agree to that and some of you do too) but those who knew him understood it came from a place of genuine love and affection.  At his core, Fred was incredibly kind-hearted and generous. He was willing to lend a helping hand and would give whatever he had to support someone in need.

In God's perfect timing, Fred spent his 83rd birthday receiving heartfelt wishes from all his family and friends.  He responded to many expressing how blessed he felt.  Later that evening, he went to Good Friday Service with his Tabernacle Church family. He found comfort in knowing that God was with him every step of the way. Above all, he valued the love and connection he shared with family and friends—those moments were his greatest joy.

He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Evelyn; his dear friend, Frances Brown; and his children, Erica Brown, Doreen Stewart (Malik), and Freddy Brown (Norma). He is also survived by his stepchildren, Lisa Polk Stansbury and Keith Polk; his brother-in-law, William M. Darden; and his sisters-in-law, Vivian D. Perry and Sandra P. Maith.

He will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren, Maya, Taylor, and Faith Stewart, and Christian, Natalie, and Isabella Brown; and his nieces, Fredericka D. Garnes, Lisa Y. Briener (Larry), and Cynthia Collins (Larry).

He also leaves behind his cousin and cherished monthly lunch companion, Barbara Miller Jordan; a host of cousins from the Crawley and Brown families, as well as many great and great-great nieces and nephews. His memory will be treasured by his friends at Tabernacle Baptist Church, the KFC Noonday pinochle card players, the Buffalo Soldiers, the Masons, and his colleagues from AT&T.

Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 418 Halifax Street, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. Robert A. Diggs, Sr., Pastor, eulogist. The interment will be held 11:00 A.M., Monday, April 20, 2026, at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

A wake will be held from 5:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M., Friday, April 17, 2026, at the funeral establishment.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/5877777?fl=so&fe=fs