Virginia Dare Brown

Virginia Gillenwater Moore Brown, 88, was born February 2. 1937, in Scott County, Virginia, and was the last of ten children born to Leonard and Avie Gillenwater. She lived most of her life in Johnson City, Tennessee, where she passed peacefully on October 31, 2025, at Brookdale Senior Living.

Virginia was smart, loved to laugh, dance, bowl, cook for family and friends, watch football, but amidst all the fun she was also a hard worker. She worked in and eventually helped run her first husband’s restaurant, Dinty Moore’s, a staple of downtown Johnson City. Soon after his death, she focused her life on raising her newborn daughter, Lana Moore. While Lana was very young, Virginia suffered from a visual impairment, leaving her legally blind. She never allowed this to slow her down…she continued raising her daughter, bowled regularly with friends and attended most University of Tennessee Football home games. In 1979, she came to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior and was baptized along with her daughter in May of that year, a memory both would always cherish. Not long after re-marrying in 1981, she chose to return to work at Volunteer Blind Industries, where she stayed until her retirement. She enjoyed the work, but she enjoyed her colleagues even more and made many lasting friendships. During this time, she became a member of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, where she was part of the Solon Gentry Sunday Class for several years. She was also very active in the Order of the Eastern Star – Nolachuckey-Grand View Chapter #194, where she held many offices and made many lasting friendships. Following her second husband’s passing, Virginia continued to live independently until the end of 2020 when she moved in with her daughter and family which she said “was the best time of her life.”

In addition to her parents and siblings, Virginia was preceded in death by her first husband, Hunter R. Moore, as well as her second husband, Hayter C. Brown, Jr.

Those left to cherish and remember Virginia include: her daughter, Lana Moore (Stephanie) of Piney Flats, Tennessee; two honorary grandchildren, Madison Burks and Harrison Burks both of Johnson City, Tennessee; and two granddogs, Nola and Fenway, as well as several friends and extended family members including her great-niece, Teresa Christian, who perfectly styled her hair every Thursday for over thirty years. Anyone who knew Virginia knew not to even try to make plans with her around the 11:00 hour on Thursdays.

The family would like to thank the staff of Brookdale Senior Living for treating Virginia like a member of their own family as well as her dining mates and fellow Uno Club members.

The family of Virginia Brown will receive friends from 4:00pm – 6:00 pm Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in the Morris Baker Oak Hall Chapel. The funeral service will immediately follow visitation with Rev. Chris Brown officiating. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 12:00 pm at Monte Vista Memorial Park. Family and friends who wish to attend the service should meet at Monte Vista Memorial Park no later than 11:50am.

In lieu of flowers, people are welcome to contribute to Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church in Virginia’s honor.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family via www.morrisbaker.com

Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 E. Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee 37601, is honored to serve the family of Virginia Brown. 423-282-1521.