Barbara Brown

Barbara A. (Tootie) Brown, 93, of Salem, Va., peacefully went to be with our Lord on Monday, December 1, 2025.

Tootie deeply loved her family, and she had a group of lifelong friends whom she cherished. She was a member of Salem Presbyterian Church for 75 years and remained active as an ordained deacon and elder as well as a participant in the Ladies Night Circle women's group. Tootie was a Radford University graduate, went on to teach with Salem City Schools for many years, and was also active at the Brown Hardware Company family store. She would often volunteer with the Salem Historical Society and Mill Mountain Theater, and also played Bridge in her spare time. She traveled the world, often times taking groups, and her favorite place to visit was London. She also enjoyed her many trips to Sandbridge Beach with the Pink Flamingo girls.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul Shelton Ames and Frances May Ferguson Ames; love of her life, Maxwell Brown; second husband, Mel Hollandsworth; sister, Helen Jean Proctor and husband, Jack; brother, David S. Ames and wife, Carol; daughter-in-law, Lisa G. Brown; grandson, Joshua A. Brown; mother-in-law, Georgie D. Brown; sister-in-law, Martha B. Mayo and husband, Wiley; and many other loving family members.

Her surviving family includes her children, Shelton Brown Duffy and husband, Ritchie, Alexander Brown, Elizabeth Brown Repass and husband, Michael, and Gibson M. Brown and wife, Joanna; grandchildren, Alison Brown Duffy and husband, Carlos Perez, Caitlin Elise Duffy and Harper Johnson, Heather Lee Diderich and husband, Charles, Andrew Repass and wife, Dianna, Megan Ellis and husband, Buck, John Thomas Repass, Rachel Brown and partner, Lex Santisteban, and Maxwell Brown; great-grandchildren, Noah, Ashlyn, Maya, and Hollis; many nieces and nephews; and her loving school and church families.

The family thanks Harmony Memory Care Center for their loving care.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Salem Presbyterian Church located at 41 East Main Street in Salem, Va. 24153, with Rev. Chris Vogado officiating. A reception will immediately follow in the church's Gresham Hall. Her final resting place will be at Sherwood Memorial Park, also in Salem.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to Salem Presbyterian Church or a charity of choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.