Reba Louise Brown Walden

Reba Louise Brown Walden, aged 80, passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at Salem Health & Rehab in Salem, Va., where she resided in longterm care. Originally from Pearisburg, Va., Louise, as she was known for most of her life, lived in many different parts of Southwest and Central Virginia (Moneta, Blue Ridge, Roanoke, Radford, Dublin, Abington, Chilhowie, Marion, and other parts), as well as briefly residing in North Carolina and Tennessee. Daughter of Paris A. and Lily M. Brown, Louise was the last living member of her family of origin, being preceded in death by both her parents and siblings, Paris Brown, Jr., Virginia Brown, Ruth Goff, Agnes Miller, Patsy Eaton, and Jimmy Brown. In August of 2013, she lost Thomas W. Walden, Jr., her husband of 40 years. Louise will be remembered by her children, Dr. Michael L. Brown of Durham, N.C., Mr. Brian K. Walden of Roanoke, Va., Ms. Melissa A. Lephew of Salem, Va., and Mr. Thomas A. Walden of Raytown, Mo. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In addition, she greatly loved and was loved by her sons-in-law, Dr. Ryan C. Maloney and Mr. Marvin H. Lephew, Jr. Altruistic, adaptable, and affectionate, our diminutive mothers absence leaves a giant hole in our lives. May we all be as generous, resilient, and loving and may she find in Jesus embrace the healing, joy, and abundance that were often scarce for her on this side of eternity. Although her life was full of hardships, over the last decade, she became an extreme extrovert who appeared to have the singular mission of letting everyone whose path she crossed know that they were loved, stopping complete strangers to hug them and to tell them that she loved them. The staff at the nursing home reported that Reba was a unique woman. She didnt just bring a smile into the room with her, she brought love. The phone calls, which she shared with her son Michael several times per week, always ended with I love you like I always did and more, and youd better tell Ryan that I love him, too, but I love you more because youre my baby. Those were the last words that he heard from her, along with their typical banter about which one of them might misbehave that made her laugh. During these final years, she learned to laugh like never previously, started singing along to Alan Jackson songs and her own made-up chants, and discovered a love for jigsaw puzzles. Rather than sending flowers or gifts, the family encourages you to seek out opportunities to serve the elderly where you live, passing on the love that our mother shared freely by helping someone else who, like Louise, has lost so much. In the Roanoke Valley, the Local Office on Aging offers just one outlet for such social or financial service, but wherever you are, you can find opportunities to give back to the senior population. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com. Service Details.