Chad Sterling Brown

Chad Sterling Brown of Sandston, Virginia passed away unexpectedly on Saturday April 29, 2017. Chad was born at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Okinawa, Japan on May 20, 1986 to his loving parents Sharon Adams and Manley Brown, who survive him. Chad spent most of his childhood in Virginia Beach, VA, but he was also lucky enough to live in Spain for a period of time as his parents were Naval Petty Officers. He was a well-traveled young man by the time he reached adulthood. He spent a number of years living in Philadelphia, only to move back home to the Richmond area in the last couple of years to be closer to friends and family. Chad had an adventurous and friendly spirit and had good times and made good friends every place he lived. Chad was generous. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it. Chad was kind. I’ve read so many words of encouragement that he’s sent to his family and friends when they needed them. Even when he was struggling, he made sure to check in on those he cared about. Chad was funny. You couldn’t not laugh when you talked to him. He would joke and tease with his friends about everything. No holds barred! He loved to make people laugh. Chad was handsome. I have to include this because we all know how important that was to him. He was a beautiful man inside and out. Chad was charismatic and so intelligent. People were drawn to him. He was interested in people. He had interesting perspectives and a great vocabulary that made you want to keep a conversation with him going. Chad was gentle. He loved kids and elderly people and animals. Chad was not afraid of hard work. He liked being busy. But most importantly, Chad was loving and loved. He was a good son. A good grandson. A good nephew. A good cousin. And a good friend. Chad loved those in his circle and he loved hard, and because of that his family and friends were his life. And he would have done anything for any one of us. We were so lucky to have had him in our lives and been given the opportunity to love him back.

“Life is about interactions, learning how to interact with those around you and those you want around you; constantly shifting and learning… The Sun gives us the green we need, the moon gives it all time to heal.”

-Chad Brown

Chad was blessed with a large and loving family. On the Adams side, he is survived by his mother, Sharon Griffith and her husband, Richard Griffith; brother, Nicholas Griffith; grandmother, Mary Adams; uncles and aunts, Gary and Lyz Adams and their son, Lucas and Tom and Jennifer Adams and their children, Andrew, Katie and George; He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Alton Adams. On the Brown side, he is survived by his dad, Manley E. Brown and wife, Laura of Charleston, SC; grandmother, Leona Brown of Canton, GA; aunts and uncles, Michelle and Bryan Stevens, Marge and Pete Serisky, Mystic Henderson, and Maureen and Greg Paisley; cousins, Alex Henderson, Kira Serisky, and Gavin and Liam Paisley. Chad was preceded in death by his grandpa, Ransford E. Brown. Services for Chad will be held at the Nelsen Funeral Home located at 4650 South Laburnum Ave., Richmond, VA 23231. The viewing will be held from 2pm-4pm on Saturday May 6th with the memorial service to follow immediately after at 4pm. Online condolences may be made at www.nelsenrichmond.com.