Maynard Brown

Maynard Brown, 87, of the 900 block of Horne Avenue in Portsmouth, Virginia passed away on October 13, 2018. Maynard was born in Marshall, Texas on November 26th to Mr. James Williams and Ms. Annie Mae Brown. He was a graduate of Pemberton High School. After graduation, he immediately joined the U.S. Navy, where he dedicated 29 years of service to his country in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Maynard loved to cook and created masterful meals for shipmates and dignitaries alike. While in the Navy, Maynard met and fell in love with Ms. Lita Janice Johnson. Maynard was jokingly told that if he could make it out of Tidewater, he would escape getting hitched. However, after seeing Lita at the USO club in Portsmouth, he knew he was not going anywhere. Concerned about making a good first impression, Maynard introduced himself to his future bride as “Bobby.” He thought the name Maynard would not be “cool” enough to win her affections. Once Lita discovered his real name, she told him he would forever be called Bobby, and so he was. Bobby and Lita were married for 33 years until her death in 1986. They raised a beautiful and loving daughter, Kimberly Lita. Bobby was blessed to have a son-in-law, Phillip A. Jones, and gain two handsome grandsons, Phillip “Drew” Andrew and Dylan Brown. After his retirement from the Navy, Bobby worked for Be-Lo Supermarket and Jimmy’s Fresh Market as a meat cutter. His reputation as a meat cutter gained him an immense following, where many customers only wanted him to make their choices and cuts of meats. Because of his passion for his profession, he was loved and respected by his patrons. Bobby was a pillar in the community because of his “let’s get down to business,” approach and great sense of humor. He volunteered with numerous organizations and was a proud member of the Lebanon Lodge #34 for over 50 years, as well as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Bobby worshiped with his wife and daughter at Community Presbyterian Church, also serving as an elder of the church. Bobby was preceded in his death by his mother, father, and three brothers. He leaves to mourn his daughter Kimberly, son-in-law Phillip, grandsons Drew and Dylan, and a host of family and friends.

Maynard Brown

November 26, 1930 - October 13, 2018