Rev. Ludwell Brown, Sr.

Rev. Ludwell Brown, Sr., 80, of Jeffersonton, VA, passed August 6, 2025.

Reverend Ludwell Brown, Sr. was born on June 12, 1945, in Rappahannock County, Virginia, to the late Frank and Edna Brown. He was the seventh of thirteen children, raised in Rappahannock and Fauquier counties. Reverend Brown attended Hume Grade School in Hume, Virginia, and graduated from William C. Taylor High School in Warrenton, Virginia, in June, 1964.

In November 1965, Reverend Brown was drafted into the United States Army. Over the course of an extraordinary 32-year career, he rose to the highest enlisted rank of Sergeant Major (E-9). His service included completing the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy in Germany, and he was honored in December 1997 with the Legion of Merit Award—one of the military’s highest peacetime distinctions. Reverend Brown retired from active duty on January 1, 1998.

Following his military retirement, Reverend Brown became the first facility manager for Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. He served in this role for seven years before retiring in September 2007.

Reverend Brown’s walk with the Lord began early. He joined Macedonia Baptist Church in Flint Hill, Virginia, in 1962 and was baptized in the Jordan River by Reverend Thomas Proctor that same year.  In 1993, he was called to pastor Bethel Baptist Church in Mitchells, Virginia, where he served until 1997. In May 1994, Reverend Brown accepted the call to Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Haywood, Virginia, and was installed in October of that year—a role he faithfully held until his passing.  From June 21, 2003, to August 21, 2010, he also pastored Mount Zion Baptist Church in Alanthus, Virginia. Under his leadership, Mount Zion was blessed with significant improvements, including a new well, septic system, dining room, bathroom, parking lot, and becoming debt-free.

At Mount Calvary, Reverend Brown’s vision and leadership brought about remarkable growth and development. The church received ownership of its building, purchased the parking lot, installed a new well, double front doors, central air conditioning, a fellowship hall, and expanded the main sanctuary. Other milestones included replacing the sanctuary floor, installing a baptismal pool, starting a food closet, purchasing 5½ acres for a cemetery, and ensuring the church remained a place of worship and service for generations to come. All glory be to God!

On February 22, 1969, Reverend Brown married Evelyn Pollard, and together they shared 52 years of love and partnership until her passing in July 2021. He was the proud father of three sons: Ludwell, Jr. (Gwen “Scooda”) of Culpeper; Lenell (Christina “Chrigeli”) of Switzerland; and Lance of Jeffersonton.

He is also survived by six sisters: Joyce Gingrich of Fredricksburg, VA, Mary Roberts of Newark, NJ,  Gracie Brown of Warrenton, VA, Katherine (Sylvester) Crawley of Alexandria, VA, Deborah Brown of Warrenton, VA, Edna Brown of Alexandria, VA; and two brothers: Ray Brown of Glen Burnie, MD, and Arthur (Pam) Brown of Delray Beach, FL. He was preceded in death by four brothers: Carroll, John, Will, and Frank (Fluke) Brown.

His legacy also lives on through his three grandchildren: Carmelle and Jayden Brown, and Gregory Breeden; one great-granddaughter, Kalena Elize Breeden; two godchildren: Tiffany Johnson and Arthur Brown, Jr.; and cherished family friends, Bridgette and Dan Price, Julia Gordon, and Katie Comer.

The family will  receive friends on Friday, August 22, 2025, from 10 am until 12 pm with funeral services starting at 12 pm at Culpeper Baptist Church, 318 S. West St., Culpeper, VA 22701. Bishop Daniel Baltimore will officiate and Bishop Lynda Brown-Hall will deliver the eulogy.

Interment with military honors will be at Culpeper National Cemetery, New Site, 501 E. Chandler St., Culpeper, VA 22701

Services will be streamed on line at 12 pm at https://culpeperbaptist.org/watch-live/

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