Vivian Scott "Scottie" Brown

PORTSMOUTH - Vivian Scott "Scottie" Brown passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 27, 2011, in Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center.

A native of Portsmouth, she was predeceased by her mother, Susie Scott; father, Charlie Scott; husband, Hilbert Leon Brown; brother, Leroy Scott; and a godchild, Travis Swinton.

Vivian was educated in the Portsmouth Public School System. She graduated from I.C. Norcom High School in 1939. She later received her bachelor's degree from Virginia State College (University) in Petersburg, Va. Launching a teaching career that extended for a period of 38 years, she first touched the lives of young people in Dinwiddie, Va., for two years. She returned to Portsmouth and provided dedicated and unselfish education to numerous students until she retired from the Portsmouth Public School System in 1983.

Vivian accepted Christ at an early age and was a loyal and faithful member of Ebenezer Baptist Church for over 75 years. She loved her church and used her talents to serve God faithfully until her health made it too difficult. She loved her Missionary Ministry. In addition to her church affiliation, Vivian was actively involved in civic and community organizations. She was a viable member of the Maple Shade/West Grove Civic League. She also continued her membership in the Tidewater Chapter of the Virginia State University Alumni Association and was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

Vivian will be remembered for her dedication to family, church, community, students and friends. Left to cherish her memory are a daughter, Barbara Brown Watford (Alex); a grandson, Hilbert Christopher Watford (Tameka); three great-grandsons, Christopher Watford, Tobias Watford and Joshua Watford; three nieces, Betty Smith (Richard) of Chesapeake, Sheryl Stancil (Dorsey) of Columbus, Ga., and Renee Scott of Chesapeake; a nephew, Donald Scott of Portsmouth; a godson, Rayford L. Riddick Jr. of Chesapeake; two goddaughters, Dallis L. Riddick of Chesapeake and Patricia Saunders Nixon of Portsmouth. She will also be missed by three supportive and caring neighbors, Valerie Hill, Donnie Wilson and George Wilson.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, at Fisher Funeral Home, 1520 Effingham St., Portsmouth, where a sorority ritual will also be conducted. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 728 Effingham St., Portsmouth, the Rev. LeRoy Hill Jr. officiating.

Burial will follow in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. www.fisherfuneral.com.

Published in The Virginian Pilot on July 31, 2011