Jane Brownlee

Jane Ellis Powers Brownlee, age 94, passed away on Monday, December 22, 2014 in Bristol, TN. She lived with her daughter, Ingrid Davis, for the last three years in Abingdon, VA. A native of Portsmouth, she was predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Gibson Brownlee; parents, Martha Leah Creecy Powers and Alton Cridlin Powers, Sr.; sisters, Laura Powers Thom and Sarah Powers Pickrell Sinclair; and brother, Alton Cridlin Powers, Jr. Survivors include her daughters, Brenda Brownlee Copeland Robbins of Corolla, NC; Gale Brownlee Townsend and husband Russell of Chesapeake; and Ingrid Brownlee Davis and husband Roger of Abingdon; seven grandchildren, Guy Copeland, Ian Copeland, Gambol Copeland Bosmans, Anne Robbins Counoupas, Stephanie Townsend Farabow, Courtney Townsend Brown and Elizabeth Davis Bartlett; 18 great-grandchildren; and a special niece, Sharon Thom Quinn, and nephew, James M. Pickrell. Jane retired from the design division of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard after 25 years of service. Much of her life revolved around her membership with West End United Methodist Church and her most special friendships with Annie Laurie Jackson and Bob and Viola Higgins. Jane also enjoyed many years volunteering at Maryview Hospital. A graveside service will be held on Monday, December 29th at 1:00 p.m. in Churchland Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. E. Clifton Whitlock officiating. The family will receive friends at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel on Sunday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to West End UMC or a charity of your choice.