[blindLaw] The passing of Charlie Brown

[David Andrews]

>
>It is with great sorrow that we share the passing of our longtime 
>friend and leader, Charles "Charlie" Brown. Charlie was a driving 
>force in the National Federation of the Blind at a national and 
>state level for nearly 50 years. At a national level, Charlie served 
>on our national Board of Directors, served as national Treasurer, 
>served as an attorney on our national staff, and played a 
>significant role in ensuring civil rights for blind people, 
>especially voting rights. In Virginia, Charlie served as President 
>of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia for 26 years and 
>was instrumental in our work across the Commonwealth, in building 
>our affiliate and many of our chapters, and in the lives of so many 
>of our members. He directed our legislative advocacy to achieve 
>successes such as the Virginians With Disabilities Act and many 
>important legislative changes that have impacted the lives of 
>countless disabled Virginians.
>
>However, for many of us, Charlie was not only a leader but a 
>tremendous friend and mentor. I think I speak for many that Charlie 
>Brown was a true friend and role model who was committed to me and 
>my family. Charlie, along with his wife Jacki, were generous with 
>their help, compassion, and advice for so many in Virginia and 
>throughout this country. Charlie was committed to the National 
>Federation of the Blind, to his work as a public servant for many 
>years, to his community through his leadership in the Kiwanis Club 
>of Arlington, to his church, and to his family. He was a tremendous 
>friend, role model, and leader who will be sorely missed.
>
>
>
>Funeral Details:
>
>
>
>On Sunday, August 1, Charles Brown passed peacefully.
>
>
>
>Services for Charles will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, August 14, 
>2021 at Omps Funeral Home in Winchester, Virginia.
>
>Omps Funeral Home
>
>, 1600 Amherst St.
>
>Winchester, VA 22601
>
>540-662-6633
>
><http://ompsfuneralhome.com/>ompsfuneralhome.com
>
>The service will be held in the Amherst Chapel.
>
>
>
>Due to COVID restrictions, it is important for the family to know 
>estimated counts of who will be attending the funeral. The family 
>will have services with food afterwards.  Again, all are welcome 
>but, the family just needs a general head count because of possible 
>capacity restrictions.
>
>Within the National Federation of the Blind, Sandy Halverson has 
>agreed to collect the names of people who will be attending the funeral.
>
>Additionally, recognizing that transportation to Winchester is 
>complex, we are arranging bus transport from Arlington Virginia to 
>Winchester on Saturday, August 14. Sandy is taking reservations on 
>the bus to the funeral for those interested.  We are working on bus 
>cost details but anticipate the cost will be in the range of $30 to 
>$50 roundtrip per person. We kindly ask you to RSVP to Sandy by 
>Sunday, August 8 so we can provide an approximate head count to the 
>family and work out bus capacity requirements.
>
>Sandy Halverson
>
><mailto:sjh300 at outlook.com>sjh300 at outlook.com
>
>703 400 6890
>
>
>
>After that date, you are still welcome to attend but we ask that you 
>RSVP to the family directly by emailing
>
><mailto:charlesbrownrsvp at gmail.com>charlesbrownrsvp at gmail.com
>
>
>
>
>
>In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Charlie's memory may 
>be made to:
>
>The National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
>
>3230 Grove Avenue
>
>Richmond, VA 23221
>
>or you can give online at:
>
>
>
><http://www.NFBV.org/give>www.NFBV.org/give
>
>Alternatively, you can contribute to
>
>  the Chaplaincy Fund
>
>300 Westminster-Canterbury Dr
>
>Winchester, VA 22603.
>
>
>
>For further information please visit the obituaries and tribute wall 
>at <http://ompsfuneralhome.com/>ompsfuneralhome.com
>
>The Obituary will be distributed once it is available.
>
>This email is going to many people.  Please, share this with parties 
>that might want to attend.   Again, the family recognizes that there 
>are some restrictions, but they believe it is possible to 
>accommodate all that might wish to attend.
>
>
>
>If you have specific questions for the family, please reach out to 
>Charlie's son Stephen Brown
>
>571-512-2228
>
><mailto:sstbrown at gmail.com>sstbrown at gmail.com
>
>
>
>
>
>Tracy Soforenko
>
>President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
>
>202 285-4595
>
><mailto:Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com>Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com
>
>www.nfb.org
>
><http://www.nfbv.org>www.nfbv.org
>
>National Federation of the Blind. Live the Life You Want
>
>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and 
>friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. 
>Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.