Life and work rooted in two regions
Randall Rufus Brown, a Virginia Beach resident known both for his jewelry business and his quiet generosity, died Saturday, July 11. He was 61.
Born Aug. 7, 1964, in Amityville, New York, Brown spent his early years in Wyandanch before pursuing higher education at SUNY Albany and Norfolk State University. He later settled in Virginia Beach, where he combined an entrepreneurial spirit with practical skill to build a local presence as the owner and designer behind Brittany’s Jewelry. Those who knew him described a man whose creativity extended beyond his trade into collections, home projects and gardening.
Family, craft and community ties
Brown’s life was shaped by family and a range of personal interests. He is survived by his wife, Ngoc-Han Q. Vo; daughters Brittany Janae Brown of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Brandee Jewels Brown and Bria Jaelyn Brown of Virginia Beach; and two grandsons, Julian Douglass Brown and Jaylen Jules Hills. His daughter’s partner, Codey-Le V. Richards of Suffolk, also survives him.
Among extended family members who will carry his memory are his sister Merri A. Brown Childs (and her husband Brandon), sisters Renee Simmons (Craig) and Jacinda Shepard, and brothers William Paschall and Martin Paschall. He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who remembered him for practical skills and a gentle nature.
"His generosity, kindness and willingness to help others defined him," family members said in remembrances.
Interests that shaped a life
Those close to Brown recalled a man who could build and fix nearly anything — from cars to household projects — and who took pleasure in collecting. He was an avid collector of trading cards, shoes and toys. Gardening was a quieter pleasure, and pets held a special place in his household.
He also maintained a lifelong connection to his New York roots and its sports teams, keeping allegiance to the Giants, Mets, Yankees and Knicks even after moving south. That blend of northern loyalty and Virginia Beach belonging featured in the way neighbors, customers and friends described him: pragmatic, inventive and steady.
Professional life and local footprint
As the proprietor of Brittany’s Jewelry, Brown combined artistic sensibility with technical skill. The notice of his passing highlights his work as a jewelry designer and small-business owner — roles that brought him into direct contact with customers across the Hampton Roads area. In a community where small businesses anchor neighborhood life, Brown’s shop provided both craftsmanship and personal service.
- Age at death: 61
- Date of death: July 11
- Known for: Jewelry design, small-business ownership, collecting and hands-on repair skills
| Born | Education | Residence |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 7, 1964 — Amityville, N.Y. | SUNY Albany; Norfolk State University | Virginia Beach, Virginia |
Survivors and legacy
Survived by immediate and extended family, Brown was preceded in death by his brother Ronald Samuel Brown and his father-in-love, Trung T. Vo. His mother-in-love, Hanh M. Bui, and brother-in-love, Joseph-Hieu T. Vo, are among those who mourn him.
Friends and patrons in Virginia Beach will remember Brown for the combination of practical talent and a generous spirit. As the city continues to rely on small business owners who contribute to local identity and services, the death of a proprietor like Brown is felt beyond family circles: it ripples through neighborhoods and the customers whose personal stories touched his craft.
Details on services and remembrances were listed with Altmeyer Funeral Home.
