Our mother, Hilda Mae Friend Brown, would say to anyone who would listen, "I don't require much" and she lived a simple life marked by kindness, steady faith, and deep devotion to family and friends. She brought warmth into ordinary days, offering a listening ear, a generous heart, and a quiet strength that made others feel cared for.

She found joy in simple things: she absolutely loved flowers, especially the sunflower, collecting items from different thrift stores, yard sales, antique shops, a collector of old things including books and newspapers of our race, and spent time cutting out newspaper items she thought had value - she called them current events.

She found joy in simple moments: time shared around the table, familiar stories retold with laughter, thoughtful calls of encouragement to and from others, and visits of those she loved. She gave so freely, shared wisdom gently, and made home, family, and friendship feel sacred.

Throughout every season she taught by example. Her patience, humility, and compassion left an impression that will continue throughout our lives and others she touched who always told us, "Your mother is the sweetest person" and the memories held close by everyone who loved her.

She is no longer with us in body, yet her spirit remains present in every act of love, every cherished memory, and every story spoken in her honor. Here's a smile - We remember when she created and organized the "2 Hour Club" to help all elderly neighbors in need, how she had every person young and old serving willingly; how she was the sole "365 Day Neighborhood Secret Santa" to the elderly leaving gifts, flowers, and/or food anonymously on their porches and doorsteps; and many other helps for the community and beyond - she kept her kids busy delivering, especially her sons, that was our mom.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert W. Brown, Sr.; her son, Robert W. "Bobby" Brown, Jr.; her grandson, Robert W. Brown III; her father, Melvin M. Friend; her mother, Geneva J. Friend; mother-in-law, Beatrice Brown; three brothers, Lee, Melvin, Jr., and Michael Friend; two sisters, Loretta Stinnett, and Sarah Hundley; and nephew, Raymond F. Allen.

She leaves behind to celebrate her life a devoted friend, Charles L. Mason; her son, Ray A. Brown (Ellen); daughters, Deborah M. Handy (Michael), June B. Eldridge (Vincent), and Eunice R. Williams (Theophilus); grandsons, Michael C. Handy  wife Marichal (two sons and one daughter); Antonio P. Lee, Jr.; and Matthew C. Handy wife Alicia  (one son and two daughters); granddaughters, Jennifer M. Brown, Shanita M. Brown (one son and one daughter), Adrienne P. Scott  husband JaBari  (one son and two daughters), Amanda P. Lee (two daughters), and Jelesa M. Holman (two sons and two daughters); brother, Bruce H. Friend (Shirley-Anne); sisters, Carolyn F. Hancock (Herbert), Zelda F. Trent (Walter), and Betty Stone; daughter-in-law, Debbie K. Brown; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, family and friends.

Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Monday, June 29, 2026, at the Lively Community Cemetery, Brander Bridge Road, Chester, VA, Pastor Cheryl Spencer James, eulogist and Pastor Ralph T. Friend, officiant.

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/6022708?fl=so&fe=fs