Deacon Frank Coolidge Brown, 92, was born January 15, 1925 in Green Springs, Virginia to the late Leroy and Mary Brown. Frank and his siblings, one sister and eight brothers, grew up on a farm and were accustomed to hard work and completing chores. He attended Number C School in Green Springs. In 1931, Frank's father, who worked as a cook on the railroad, died and shortly thereafter in 1932 his mother also died. For a few months, seven year old Frank cared for his six year old brother Clint until neighbors discovered that they were living alone. Juanita and Jim Braxton moved in to take care of them. His sister, Sue, had gone to live with a cousin in New Jersey earlier. Finally, Effie Henson, fondly known as "Mama Hen", a Trevillion resident took over his care. Another local couple took care of Clint.

Frank was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church which was later changed to Bright Hope where he received salvation in 1934. In 1938, Frank went to Washington, D.C. to live with his brother Nathaniel and his wife Cassie. There he attended Hart Jr. High School and Armstrong Vocational High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was stationed at Montford Point, the first training center for African American men at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.

Frank married the late Anna Clark in 1947 and is survived by a son, Sami Nurridan and a daughter, Ameedah Ali born of that union.

In 1970, Frank married The Rev. Dr. Nan M. Brown, the founder and pastor Emeritus of the Way Of The Cross Baptist Church, Palmyra, Virginia. Frank served faithfully as a deacon, fund raiser and strong supporter of every ministry of the church. He is also survived by three stepchildren, Rev. Alvin Blunt, Joseph Blunt, Jr. and Linette Blunt Adams.

Frank Brown had a thirst for knowledge and loved to travel. He read the newspaper every day, kept up with politics, sports. He loved to tell jokes and could cook the most delicious meals. He was a man of his word and expected everyone else to live by the same credo. He was always incredibly disappointed when others did not keep their word. Although in his nineties, he was very proud of his iPhone and constantly sought tutorial assistance. He and Rev Nan talked daily on FaceTime.

He was the strongest man one could ever meet and seemed to be able to do anything that required physical strength. He was active in the community, serving as a member of the Fluvanna County Christian Society, the Red Cross, The Cancer Society and the Montford Point Marine Association. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his service in June 2010.

There was only one Frank Brown, strong willed, determined and a unique man of God.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2017 at Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church 105 Lankford Ave Charlottesville, Va 22902. Interment will be held at noon on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at Quantico National Cemetery 18424 Joplin Road Triangle, VA 22172.