John “Hoppy” Earl Brown, Jr., age 72, of Cedar Bluff, Virginia, passed away on Sunday, March 28, 2021 at the Maple Grove Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Home in Lebanon, Virginia following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Hoppy was born August 31, 1948 in Richlands, Virginia and was the son of the late John Earl Brown, Sr., and Margarette Marie McCoy Brown. He was a graduate of Richlands High School Class of 1966 and graduated in 1968 form the Southwestern Business College with a degree in business administration. He then served in the US Marines from 1968-1970 during the Vietnam conflict. After returning home he earned an Associate’s Degree in 1975 from SWCC in Mining Technology. Hoppy worked for a while at the Seaboard Mines as a superintendent, later becoming a mine inspector for the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, retiring in 2017.

Hoppy was a member of the Gethsemane Baptist Church in Richlands, he was a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Roanoke, Virginia and was elected and received the Degree of Knights Commander Court of Honor in 1999. Kazim Shriners of Roanoke, Tazewell and Russell Shrine clubs where he had served as a past commander, president of the club and was a chairman of the Tennessee Walking Horse Classic for 30 years. He was faithful to his craft and always had the best interest of all the children who needed his help. He was a member of the Cedar Bluff Masonic Lodge #260 AF&AM, where he received the Degree of Master Mason in 1972.

In addition to his parent’s, he was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara “Bobbie” Jeanne Brown Belcher Sweeney.

Those that remain on carry on his spirit are his;
Wife, Alice Cunningham Brown of Cedar Bluff, VA
Daughter, Cynthia Renee Brown of Decatur, GA
Son, Michael Scott Brown of Belfast, VA
Brother, James Douglas Brown and wife, Diana of Bristol, VA
Granddaughter, Isabella Grace Brown and several nieces and nephews also survive.

In honor of John’s memory, the family ask that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605-4277 or call them at 1-864-241-3444.

Due to COVID 19 restrictions, all services for John “Hoppy” Earl Brown, Jr., will be private. Dr. Rev. Marc Brooks and Rev. Lonnie Perkins will be officiating. He will be interred at the Greenhills Memory Gardens and the Casey Short VFW Post#9640 will conduct military graveside rites. Pallbearers will be Michael Brown, James Brown, Jim Reynolds, Ernest Edgell, Joe Smith and Ray Collins. A video of the funeral service will be available on the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home Facebook page after 5:00pm on Wednesday.

Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so here.