Ella Forrest Brown of Mathews, passed away peacefully on Aug. 4, 2015 surrounded in the love of here family.

Ella was born in Portsmouth, Va., on Dec. 11, 1940, and later her family relocated to Mathews.

Ella loved her family and poured her life into her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandson. Her brother and four sisters were friends as well as family. She was a faithful member of Mathews Baptist Church. She taught Sunday School, was a youth leader and sang in the choir. Ella worked with her husband in the family business, Browns Auto Parts, and was also owner of several businesses such as Brown’s Books, Cards and Gifts and a video rental store. Ella wrote a poem and song which was published and recorded.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Freddie L. Brown; son, Matthew Christopher “Chris” Brown, and her parents, Marshall and Belva Forrest.

Ella is survived by her daughter, Laura Lee Pierce and husband Steve; grandsons, Aaron and his wife Laura, Joshua, Daniel, Jonathan and his wife Kate; great-grandson, Alexander; her son, Michael Joseph Brown and wife Lisa; granddaughters, Erika and Lindsey and grandsons, Chandler and Carson; grandsons, Cash and Kenny Brown. She is also survived by her sisters, Wanda Sutherland, Barbara Minter, Goldie West, Janice West, and brother, Marshall Forrest.

Ella would leave this powerful thought for us all: Love your family and friends daily; Love and be willing to forgive each other quickly. Life and Love is a gift to us. —John 3:16

A service was held last Friday, Aug. 7 at Mathews Baptist Church and burial followed at H.C Smithers Memorial Cemetery, Hudgins, Va.

Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.