Russell Vincent Brown

Russell Vincent Brown, 68, born on January 17, 1957 passed away on April 10, 2025 from complications from leukemia.  He was the beloved son of the late Glenn Brown and Pearl Bertleson.
Rusty, as he was affectionately known, was a shining light in the lives of all who had the opportunity to know him.  After graduating high school from Forest Lake Academy in 1975, he briefly attended Southern Missionary College (now Southern Adventist University) where he met the love of his life, Eva, while studying aircraft piloting.  He continued to pursue education, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.  
Russell was an avid bird watcher, a great swimmer, and had a deep passion for traveling and the outdoors.  In addition, he enjoyed sharing his passion for nature with his family, friends and even teaching children in the Pathfinder Club, both locally in Waynesboro and internationally.  His journey on this world was marked by love, compassion, a passion to teach and a devotion to his growth in his faith and his relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, inspiring him to serve many roles in the Waynesboro Seventh-Day Adventist Church.  His passing has left a void in the hearts of those who were touched by him.  We ask that you remember him not for the way his life ended, but the way that life was lived, and for the profound impact it had on the lives of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a step-mother, Minita Sype Brown; a step-father, Billy Bertleson; a brother, Donnie Brown; and two sisters, Cheryl Lynn Brown, and Kimberly Runco.
Surviving, in addition to his wife of 46 years, are two sons, Alexander (Suzanne) R. Brown of Collegedale, Tennessee and Christopher M. Brown of Arlington, Virginia; a brother, Billy Bertleson of Monroe, Georgia; and seven grandchildren, Bradon A. Brown, Michael C. Brown, Maia E. Brown, Nathaniel T. Brown, Jennifer P. Brown, David L. Brown, and Abigail D. Brown.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 9:00 AM at Waynesboro Seventh-Day Adventist Church, in Waynesboro, VA. 
Burial will follow at Augusta Memorial Park.
Active pallbearers will be Alexander Brown, Christopher Brown, Brandon Brown, Michael Brown, Dee Hall, and Bill Buck.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to: https://adventistgiving.org/donate/ANBMM1 under Pathfinder Club. The costs raised will go to touching the hearts of and continuing the mission Russell was so passionate about.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive in Staunton is in charge of his arrangements.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net