Brown Jr., Claire Ross

Claire Ross Brown Jr., 86, of Blacksburg, died on Saturday, November 16, 2013. Ross was born in Belspring, Va. on May 4, 1927. He was the eldest child of the late Claire Ross Sr. and Agnes Morgan Brown.

Ross is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 68 years, Hallie Albert Brown. He is also survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Lou Ann and William C. “Bill” Phipps of Blacksburg, and Frances B. “Fran” and Frederick M. “Dickie” Shepherd of Newport; one son and daughter-in-law, William C. “Billy” Brown and Mary Lou Saville of Blacksburg; two sisters, Martha B. Gladwin of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. and Vivien L. Brown of Blacksburg; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Wallace M. and Mary Ann Brown of Harrisonburg, W. C. and Sandra Brown of Warrenton, and Dennis E. Brown of Mechanicsville; three grandchildren and spouses, Shawn A. and Tiffany Brown, April B. and Daryn Cockram, and Jessica Lea Saville-Brown, all of Blacksburg; 11 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, R. H. and Linda Albert of McCoy; numerous nieces and nephews.

Ross was a long time farmer in Pulaski County, being the fifth generation to farm on the family land. He began working on the farm at the tender age of five or six. He later farmed in Montgomery County until 1977. He then worked at the Moore Farm of Virginia Tech for 15 years. He was recognized with the Outstanding Young Farmer Award by the Blacksburg Junior Chamber of Commerce in the early 1960s. Ross was a charter member of St. Michael Lutheran Church and served in various positions.

The family would like to thank caregivers Andrea Sherman and Carolyn Prim for their devoted service, and the nurses and doctors at Lewis-Gale Montgomery Hospital.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 2 p.m. in the St. Michael Lutheran Church at 2308 Merrimac Road, Blacksburg, VA with the Rev. John Wertz, and the Rev. Gary McCoy officiating. Interment will follow in the Brown Cemetery, Belspring, Va.

Memorials may be made to St. Michael Lutheran Church or the Blacksburg Rescue Squad, 200 Progress Street, Blacksburg, VA 24060.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, SW, Blacksburg.