Ernestine P Brown

Ernestine's family moved to Tennessee from Texas when she was just months old and where she would meet her future husband, Joseph Grant Brown in elementary school.

As childhood sweethearts Joe wrote her notes and gave her Hershey's kisses as a declaration of his love. Joe’s family later moved from Tennessee to Georgetown, in Washington, DC. Prior to the move he informed his family that he would return to Tennessee to marry Ernestine someday, to which he was good to his word. They were married on Thanksgiving Day in 1935 and lived in Washington, DC where their daughters Peggy and Sheila were born. The family later moved to Arlington, Virginia. Joe and Ernestine continued to live in Arlington for 65 years until Joe's death in 2001 when she moved to Greenspring Village in Springfield.

Her working life began with playing piano for the Ann Chapman Dancing School for 20 years; working for realtor BM Smith, and the Army Security Agency until her retirement in 1973.

She was a member of the Arlington United Methodist Church where she played piano for Sunday School. After her move to Greenspring, she joined the Springfield United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Eastern Star and the Arlington Women's club.

Her interests were many and varied. She was an excellent seamstress, making almost all her clothes. She enjoyed various craft projects throughout the years, embarking upon painting and ceramics at the age of 95. She played the keyboard with the musical group the Merry Makers from 1991 until 2011 as well as a jazz group, the Jammers. In addition to her lifelong musical pursuits, both Joe and Ernestine had a love of dance. They participated in many square and round dancing groups where they developed friendships throughout their lives. In her later years, she renewed her tap dancing interests performing throughout Northern Virginia with a senior tap dancing group who once performed at the Kennedy Center.

Ernestine and Joe traveled extensively throughout the US and Mexico in their RV, as well as travelling abroad frequently, enjoying many cruises. Ernestine valued her faith, family and a multitude of lifelong friends as they brought her great joy. Ernestine Brown is survived by daughters Peggy Rosas (husband Roberto) and Sheila Sheats; nephews Daniel Pierce (wife Kathy), Donald Pierce (Christine), Timothy Pierce; grandchildren, Michael Bair (wife Angie), Mark Bair (wife Janeen), Suzanne Salapa (husband Dale), and Patrick Sheats (wife Rania); grandchildren Dan Penley (wife Andrea,son Blake) Hal Penley (wife Misty, children Erica and Shane) Stephanie Williams, Natalie Keller and two great-grandchildren, Gavin Sheats, and Lyla Sheats. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Greenspring Village Benevolent fund or a donation of your choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Demaine Funeral Home, Springfield, VA.