Virginia Louise Col. Brown

Col. Virginia Louise Brown, age 89, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 in the Army Residents Community. Col. Brown was born on October 7, 1921, in Johnson City, Tennessee, a daughter of the late Melvin Earl Brown and Lillie Weaver Brown. She was a graduate of Science Hill High School, Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Ohio State University, and George Washington University. Col. Brown was commissioned in the Army Nurse Corps in 1943; she served in Europe from 1943 to 1945 with the 48th General Hospital. After discharge and prior to reentering the Army in 1953, she was an instructor in the School of Nursing at Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee. During her service in the military, she had assignments as instructor, recruiting officer, staff nurse, assistant chief nurse, and chief nurse, station hospitals, general hospital, medical commander, and last assignment as Assistant Chief of the Army Nurse Corps. She retired with the rank of Colonel. In 1979, she was awarded the Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee Award 'Army Nurse of the Year'? by the secretary of the Daughters of American Revolution. Col. Browns decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, ETO Medal with one bronze star and WWII victory medal. She was a member of the Retired Officers Association, Retired Army Nurse Corps Association, American Legion, Womens Overseas Service League, and the San Antonio Needle Work Guild. In addition to her parents, Col. Brown was preceded in death by brothers, Robert Elmo Brown and Donley Clark Brown. She is survived by one sister, Mary Kathryn Vento, of Seminole, FL; one brother, James Allen Brown; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm in the Morris-Baker Funeral Home South Chapel. The funeral service will follow at 8:00 pm in the Morris-Baker Funeral Home South Chapel with Dr. Ron Murray officiating. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 pm Sunday, April 17, 2011 in the Monte Vista Memorial Park with military honors to be rendered by the Boone Dam VFW Post #4933 and members of the Tennessee Army National Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Army Medical Department Museum Foundation, Inc., PO Box 8294, San Antonio, Texas 78208 or to the organization of your choice. Arrangements are by Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Ave., Johnson City, TN. 423-282-1521.