Manns-Brown, Dawn Lenora

Dawn Lenora Manns-Brown was called home by her Heavenly Father on July 17, 2021, at the age of 61 at her home in Howell, N.J. She was born on August 6, 1959 in Radford, Va. to Charles and Caroline Manns of New River, Va.

Dawn has deeply established roots in the New River Valley, Roanoke Valley as well as Richmond, Va. Dawn has spent the last 10 years of her life in Howell, N.J. where she had come to embrace the church family of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Red Bank, N.J. as her own. Dawn found Christ at an early age, accepting the Lord and Savior into her life by joining First Missionary Baptist Church in New River, Va. where she remained a lifelong member.

Upon graduation from Pulaski County High School, Dawn went on to Ferrum College and completed her education at Virginia Commonwealth University. The years spent at these institutions provided her with many lifelong friends, whose friendships she cherished.

Dawn lived a life full of compassion, empathy, care and service to others. The highest testament to the ideals in which she lived her life would be the time she dedicated to raising “her boys.” Till her final days, if someone asked her what she did for a living, she would be happy to report that she was “a stay at home mom taking care of her 32 and 26 year old sons”.

She was proceeded in death by her sister Christine Manns; paternal grandparents James and Hattie Manns; and maternal grandparents Ray and Regina Lewis.

She leaves to cherish in her memory, her loving husband of 34 years, Anthony Brown; two sons whom she adored, Luther “Maxwell” (Cody) Brown of Blacksburg, Va. and Clayton Brown of Howell, N.J. Her parents, Charles and Caroline Manns of New River, Va. Siblings Charlene Horne of Vienna, Va.; Charles Manns, Jr. of Alexandria, Va.; Donald Manns of New River and special sister-in-law Donna Shabazz of Radford, Va. Also left to rejoice in the memories of her life well spent are a host of loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held at First Missionary Baptist Church, 7318 Manns Dr., New River, VA 24129 on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 1:00 pm with Rev. Montie Brown officiating. Interment will be at the New River Cemetery and repass will be at First Missionary Baptist Church directly following services.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Dawn’s memory to METAvivor – Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness, Research and Support.

The Manns-Brown family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford, Virginia. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com