Lillian's Life & Legacy

The sun rose on March 7, 1935, and set on May 26, 2026 on the third child of six, Lillian Louvenia Lee Willis, born to Carter and Mary Willis in Newport News, Virginia; and just as sure as we are born there will come a time when we must go back from whence we came.

The next chapter of began for Lillian at the age of 15, when she married Waverly Brown Sr., October of 1951, she had the fist of nine children, Bobby, and then Sharon, Tony, Vicky, Gloria, Jackie, Wavery Jr., Oterrio and Aveen.

Lillian spent the next 10 years raising her children while attending Shalom Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia. Lillian and her family moved to Hampton, Virginia in 1962, attended Six Mount Zion Baptist Church, where she served as an usher for 40 years. At First United Church, she also served as an usher, on the Senior Ministry, and the Christine Ministry.

After her youngest child began school, Mrs. Brown transitioned to a career outside the home. In 1971, she earned her GED from Lindsay Elementary Night School, she received her sewing machine operator certification through Vo-Tech Training Center and went on to work for Gloria Manufacturers in Newport News, Virginia, for over a decade. Mrs. Brown completed her child care certification from the Hampton Social Service Department then she started her home daycare, caring for children for many years and later providing childcare services throughout Hampton and Newport News to include the military base. Last but not least, Mrs. Brown spent 35 years employed at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, serving in multiple capacities. She did not consider any job too great or too small, she was a team player, willing to do whatever was needed.

Mrs. Brown was deeply involved in her community, serving in a leadership position with the 4-H Neighborhood Club for teenage girls, which included outreach efforts such as writing letters to the shut-in. Also dedicating over five years of service to the March of Dimes. Mrs. Brown took an active role in Neighborhood Watch, keeping residents informed and responding to concerns or incidents in the area.

A woman of faith and service, Lillian dedicated herself to God, family, church and community. She was known for her loving and service-driven spirit. Mrs. Brown devoted her life to helping others wherever she was needed. Lillian was especially devoted to caring for children, whose lives she enriched with her love and kindness, and they loved her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carter and Mary Willis; her husband, Waverly Brown Sr.; her children, Bobby, Vicky, Gloria and Aveen; her siblings, James, John, Joe and Catherine.

She leaves to cherish her memory, five children, Sharon, Tony, Jackie (Mike), Waverly, and Oterrio (Yvette); and her sister, Ruth Reed. Mrs. Brown was blessed with over 20 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be held Friday, June 5, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th Street, Newport News, Va. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 6, 2026 at the funeral chapel. Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens.