MSG (Ret) Gene Austin Brown, 88, of Chesterfield County, Virginia, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, June 1, 2026. Born in the historic small town of Gordonsville, Virginia, Gene was the tenth of twelve children born to Thomas and Mollie Jefferson Brown. Gene was baptized as a child in the Episcopal Church and in his adult life, he followed his wife, Susie, to the Zion Baptist Church community.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, George, Thomas, Reginald, Wayne, and William Beverly Brown; and five sisters, Sybilla Brosier, Myrtle Crafton, Katherine Warren, Verna Ingram, and Edith Elaine Waller, all of whom welcomed him into heaven.

Left to cherish his memory are: his devoted wife of 58 years, Susie Winkey Brown; his two loving daughters, Jean Yvette Brown Austin (Jeffrey Austin) of Leesburg, VA and Jennifer Brown Crochet (Dave Lehotay) of Norfolk, VA; and his four beloved grandchildren, Sydney Austin, Mollie Austin, Fiona Crochet, and Carter Crochet. He is also survived by his sister, Evelyn B. Watson of Stafford, VA; his sisters-in-law, Barbara Vitto and Emily Winkey; and his brothers-in-law, Charles Winkey and George Winkey (Kyellye), along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, former students, and dear friends.

Gene's journey began in the close‑knit community of Gordonsville. He attended George Washington Carver High School in Rapidan, VA, where his love of learning first took root. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving five years with four of them in Germany. While stationed overseas, he took advantage of learning the culture and language by traveling throughout Europe every chance he could. He also began taking college courses through the University of Maryland - Global Studies, sparking what would become a lifelong commitment to education.

After completing his military service, Gene enrolled at Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), where he earned multiple degrees including a Bachelor of Arts in History, a Master of Arts in Teaching and Social Studies, a Master of Arts in Library Science, and a Master of Arts in Education Administration and Supervision.

Gene began his teaching career at Carter G. Woodson High School in Crisfield, Maryland. He later returned to Virginia State College to continue his graduate studies before accepting a teaching position at Thomas Dale High School in Chesterfield County. There, he spent the remainder of his 34‑year teaching career inspiring students in social studies, history, and government. Gene also started the school's tennis program and proudly coached both the boys' and girls' tennis teams for 25 years. Gene's passion for service and supporting our youth and our country led him to start the JROTC program at Thomas Dale. This program helps students get a head start in leadership and service to community and promotes positive opportunities for character building including self-discipline, self-confidence, and community support. Known for his steady presence and warm spirit, he supported countless school events, from athletics to theater productions, and became a steadfast and beloved figure in the Thomas Dale community.

After retiring from teaching for just two days, Gene was invited to return to Thomas Dale as an Assistant Principal, serving an additional 12 years as an administrator, including two years at the Chesterfield County Technical Center. In total, he dedicated an incredible 46 years of his life to educating, mentoring, and uplifting the youth of Chesterfield County.

Early in his teaching career, as a way to keep busy and bring in more financial support for his family, he started painting houses. What started out as a one summer job ended up being a 15-year bonus career, where he trained anyone that would work with him how to paint edges without tape.

In addition to his work in education, Gene served his country for more than 27 years in two branches of the military; five years in the United States Air Force and 22 years in the United States Army Reserve. His service earned him numerous honors, including Meritorious Service Medals, Army Commendations, and an Oak Leaf Cluster.

Gene's commitment to community extended far beyond the classroom and the military. He was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., receiving the National Pan‑Hellenic Council Petersburg Chapter Unsung Hero Award in 2013. He served more than 15 years as the manager of Sight for the Chester Lions Club, and was active in the Concerned Citizens of Ettrick, Towns and Gowns of Chesterfield, and CAPAAMMD, a civic organization of the Matoaca District. He also served eight years on the Chesterfield/Colonial Heights Social Services Board. A loyal alumnus, Gene was a life member of both the Virginia State University Alumni Association and the Greater Petersburg Area Alumni Association. In 2023, he was honored with the Chesterfield YMCA Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Award. Later in 2023, Gene was also honored by Chesterfield County Public Schools as an inductee into their Hall of Fame.

Gene was known for his love of storytelling and for the joy he found in spending time with friends and family, and sometimes even strangers. He cherished conversation, shared memories, and the simple pleasure of being in the company of others. Ever optimistic, he approached life with a steady, uplifting spirit and a deep commitment to serving his community. Hard‑working and always engaged, Gene poured his energy into the people and places about which he cared, leaving a legacy of kindness, connection, and genuine warmth.

Gene's legacy lives on in the thousands of students he taught, the colleagues he mentored, the community he served, and the family he cherished. His life was a testament to purpose, perseverance, and quiet excellence.

Services will be held 1:00 P.M., Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 2223 South Crater Road, Petersburg, VA, Bishop Jeffrey L. Reaves, Sr., Pastor and Rev. Dr. James Delano Douglas, eulogist.

A wake will be held from 6:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at the funeral establishment.

As a tribute to Mr. Brown's passion for education, gifts to the Virginia State University Tuition Assistance Fund would be a meaningful alternative to floral arrangements/plants. When making your donation on the giving page near the bottom there is a section "In Honor/Memory of Someone Special" please list Gene A. Brown. Click the link  to give: https://bit.ly/TuitionAssistanceFundFY26

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/5989973?fl=so&fe=fs