The Reverend Doctor Chester Lee Brown of Gloucester, Virginia, passed away on Friday, June 5, 2026. He was born on August 19, 1932 to Walter Lee Brown and Blanche Louise Brown on the family farm in Gloucester, where he lived with his beloved wife of almost 59 years, Doctor Mary Etta Brown, at the time of his death.
Dr. Brown graduated from the University of Richmond in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts. He then earned a Bachelor of Divinity from the Southeastern Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, working during the summer months as the director of youth activities at Hampton Baptist Church in Hampton, Virginia. Dr. Brown attended the New College of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, for two years prior to becoming the associate pastor of Hampton Baptist under the Reverend Doctor John H. Garber. On January 1, 1962, Dr. Brown became pastor of Hampton Baptist, a position he held for almost 40 years, saying, “It is one thing to have a calling. It is another thing to have a place to live it out.” He achieved a Doctor of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, in 1976.
Outside of Hampton Baptist, Dr. Brown served on various committees including the Peninsula Christian Ministerial Association, the Baptist Ministerial Association, and as Chairman of the Education Committee of the Virginia Baptist General Board. He served on the Board of Trustees of the University of Richmond and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the University in 1975. Upon his retirement in June 2001, Hampton Baptist bestowed a gift to the Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, to endow the annual Chester Brown–Hampton Baptist Church Conference on Preaching and Worship.
Dr. Brown worked closely with other local churches and community leaders to advocate for civil rights. He was honored as a “Hampton Hero” in January 2021, with his name etched as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. and Hampton Heroes Memorial Plaza which celebrates those who worked for social justice in Hampton.
Throughout their lives together, Drs. Brown supported each other’s passions for service, travel, and education. They coordinated numerous group trips to international destinations such as China, Australia, the Holy Land, France, and many more. In August 2001, Drs. Brown moved to Cairo, Egypt, where Mary Etta served in leadership positions at the American International School in Egypt, including an eight-year tenure as principal. Dr. Brown held a teaching position at the school for a short time during Mary Etta’s administration.
Upon returning to Virginia, Dr. Brown was welcomed as Interim Pastor at Franklin Baptist Church in Franklin and later at West End Baptist Church in Suffolk. A man of many talents and hobbies, he settled into full retirement by enjoying his passions for music, reading, and cooking. He was also an avid boater, fisherman, and hunter, as well as a dedicated gardener of roses, vegetables, and daffodils.
In their later years, Drs. Brown cherished their time together in Gloucester. They were rarely without each other, enjoyed frequent company, and loved visits with family and friends near and far. Dr. Brown was a friend to many and a stranger to none. He often stepped out of retirement to officiate baptisms, weddings, and funerals, feeling a profound honor to be a part of such sacred and meaningful milestones. He brought a personal warmth to every ceremony, ensuring those involved felt honored and loved in return.
Dr. Brown is survived by Mary Etta; his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Brown of Gloucester; son, Edward Brown and his wife, Margaret Sue of Richmond; grandchildren, Alexander (fiancée Christina Gkivalou), Ella and Tessa, and a loving extended family.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Hampton Baptist Church, 40 Kings Way in Hampton, with the Reverend Doctor Jay Russ officiating. The family invites you to enjoy pre-service music with them beginning at 10:45 a.m., led by former longtime Hampton Baptist Minister of Music Gary Lewis. The service will start at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be sent to Hampton Baptist Church and will be designated to the organ restoration fund.