Fallen Hero: Retired Brigadier General Virginia S. Brown

Pearl, MS

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Funeral Home

Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home

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Obituary

Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero who Served in the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten.” In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service, which our military men and women have given to their country and our state, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard memorializing its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation. Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on November 4, 2026 and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Brigadier General Virginia S. Brown, age 85, Pearl, MS, who served in the 213th Medical Brigade, has departed and gone to a better place with our Lord and Savior.

It takes a special person to serve in the military for their country, sacrificing time with family time, comfort, and safety to ensure all Americans can enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country.

A special message from General Douglas MacArthur remains relevant today for our servicemen who have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away.” Rest in peace, soldier. We honor your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family’s support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so brightly, and live so freely.

You have now earned your rest, so go fly with the angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is complete. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ love for the Father and the Son.
Another great soldier has gone home—“Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life.”

Obituary, Visitation, and Service Details:
Virginia S Brown, 85, passed away on November 4, 2026. Born December 19, 1940, in Natchez, Mississippi, Virginia, was the daughter of George and Murle Souderes. Throughout her life, she carried herself with steady faith and a deep regard for others, offering compassion in both quiet moments and times of need.
Virginia served with distinction in the Army National Guard, rising to the rank of Brigadier General. Her devotion to service was also evident in her professional life as a Nurse Anesthetist, caring for patients in many hospitals, including St. Dominic’s and Merit Health River Oaks.

In every setting, she was known for the kind of loyalty that shows up consistently, through responsibility, presence and a sincere commitment to those depending on her. A woman of purpose and steady character, Virginia also valued the simple comforts of home, especially reading and word search puzzles.
Her faithful life was further reflected in her active and devoted membership at St. Jude Catholic Church in Pearl, Mississippi, where her commitment and care for others were felt and appreciated.

Virginia was married for 39 years, until the passing of her husband, Bobby Brown, in December of 2015. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who adored her family.
Virginia is preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Charles Weeks Sr.; her son, Danny Brown; and her brothers, George Souderes Jr. and Charles Weeks Jr.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Leist (Cass); stepdaughter, Donna Brown; sister, Toni Danser (Doug) of South Carolina; and three grandchildren, Katherine Leist, Colton Leist (Anna), and Emily Leist.

Visitation will be held at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl, Mississippi on Thursday, November 5th, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a rosary service following in the funeral home. Visitation will also be at St. Jude Catholic Church on Friday, November 6th 2026 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm with a Mass of Christian Burial following after. Interment will be at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, Mississippi.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Catholic Charities, Alzheimer’s Association Mississippi Chapter, and Mississippi Animal Rescue League.