BIOGRAPHY

Brown was born in Hume, Fauquier County, Virginia, on 4 October 1911. She was the youngest of thirteen children born to James and Maria Roberts. In 1918, she and her family relocated to Webbtown in Clarke County, where they, along with Viola’s brother Harrison, worked as laborers and domestics at Springfield Farm. Viola began working as a domestic service worker at the age of seven, earning 75 cents per week. By the time she left the farm as a young adult, her weekly wage had risen to $5.

Brown married John Strange Lampkin on 28 December 1936, in Webbtown. They built their home in Josephine City, an unincorporated community south of Berryville. The primary structure of their house was a livery stable that her husband, a church deacon, relocated seven blocks from Main Street in Berryville to Josephine Street. The couple raised a son (Shelby L. Roberts) and a daughter (Vonceil L. Hill) in Josephine City while she worked as a cook in Berryville. She returned to work as a cook at Springfield Farm in 1960. Her first husband passed away in 1982. In 1988, she married The Rev. Paul Brown, who was the pastor of Zion Baptist Church on Josephine Street. She was widowed once more ten years later. For the remainder of her life, she continued to live in the house on Josephine Street that her first husband had built, enjoying frequent visits from friends and family. In 2020, her daughter moved in with her as Brown’s health declined and she became too frail to walk independently.

Brown taught Sunday School at Zion Baptist Church on Josephine Street for many years. When she began, her class consisted of just two children, but it eventually grew. She went on to manage the Youth Department and work with the Zion Baptist missionaries. She attributed her long life to the grace of God, often saying, “God is love.”

At the age of 106, Brown received a letter from former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. Berryville’s Town Council officially declared 4 October 2011, as “Viola Brown Centennial Celebration Day.” Ten years later, the Clarke County Board of Supervisors honored her with a resolution designating 4 October 2021, as “Viola Roberts Lampkin Brown Day.” Additionally, in 2021, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam sent a letter congratulating her on reaching supercentenarian status.

Brown passed away in Berryville, Fauquier County, Virginia, USA, on 21 May 2022, at the age of 110 years, 229 days. She was survived by her daughter, seven grandchildren, and an unspecified number of great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Berryville woman turns 110: ‘Every day’s a good day’” – The Winchester Star, 5 October 2021

* “Berryville’s supercentenarian Viola Brown dies at 110 years, 229 days” – The Northern Virginia Daily, 23 May 2022

* “Viola Brown Lived a Simply Extraordinary Life” – Clarke Monthly, 15 June 2022

* “Viola Brown – obituary” – Enders & Shirley Funeral Homes & Crematory (Berryville)

GALLERY