Gertrude Brown

Anita Gertrude Hudson Brown of Richlands, Virginia passed away surrounded by her family at her home on September 12, 2017. She was born on September 28, 1921 in Bluefield, Virginia and she was the daughter of the late Oker Glayde and Jessie Roland Hudson. She spent her childhood in various coal mining communities where her father was chief electrician for the mining companies. The Hudson family moved to Oakwood, Virginia in the 1935 when he took a job with a new mining company. The family lived there for several years before moving to Richlands in 1939. After attending Bluefield Business College and graduating with a secretarial degree, she worked as a medical secretary for Dr. Williams at the Mattie Williams Hospital. It was in Richlands that she met her future husband, Eldridge, in 1939. When the US entered World War II, Eldridge enlisted in the Army and was sent to California for advanced training as a radio operator. Gertie and Eldridge were married in Reno, Nevada in 1943 and she then traveled with him to the various assignments he had in California, Texas and Kentucky. During these postings, she worked as a medical secretary and then as the manager of a USO Club. When Eldridge was sent to Europe with the 13th Armored Division of Patton’s Third Army, she returned to Richlands to await his return. At the end of the war, they settled in Richlands where Eldridge established several businesses and they remained there for the rest of their lives. She and Eldridge had three children, Pauline, Reggie and George. She remained a homemaker until the mid-fifties when she returned to work with Eldridge as a bookkeeper at Brown Chrysler in Richlands. She continued to work there as long as Eldridge owned the business. With retirement they spent time each year in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and became world travelers. They enjoyed the many sights they saw, the people they met, and the adventures they had during these travels. Gertie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Eldridge Brown; sisters, Virginia Hudson Ascue, Peggy Hudson Romine; brother, William Morris Hudson. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She is survived by: Her children: Pauline Hagy and husband, Ralph, of Richlands, VA Harley Eldridge “Reggie” Brown II and wife, Terri, of Richlands, VA George Brown and wife, Lynn, of Richlands, VA Grandchildren: Rob Hagy and wife, Aleks, of Charlottesville, VA Glayde Brown and wife, Jennifer, of Richlands, VA Alena Jennings and husband, Brent, of Richlands, VA Great-grandchildren: Reece Hagy of Charlottesville, VA Trey Brown of Richlands, VA Dylan Brown of Richlands, VA Nieces and Nephews: Debbie Romine Young and husband, Samuel, of Rock Creek, WV Barbara Rohrbaugh Mikan of Rio Ranch, NM William Ascue of Cincinnati, OH The family would like to express its gratitude to the wonderful women who were so kind and loving in their care of our mother over the past several years; current care-givers Robin Proffitt, Pam Robbins, Wendy Staten, Alexis Proffitt, Judy Gross, and Helen Elswick; past care-givers Debbie Peak, Annie Ward, and Kathy Hubbard. We also wish to acknowledge the excellent support by Helping Hands Home Health Care during this time. The funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 pm on Sunday, September 17, 2017 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, Virginia with longtime family friend, Rev. Vonley Pruitt officiating. Interment will follow at the Hankins Cemetery in Richlands, VA. Pallbearers will be Reggie Brown, George Brown, Ralph Hagy, Brent Jennings, Trey Brown, Dylan Brown, Reece Hagy, and Larry Dye. The family will begin to receive friends at 1:00pm on Sunday until time of service at 3:00 pm.

Gertrude Brown

September 28, 1921 - September 12, 2017