Bliss Mathews Brown

Bliss Mathews Brown was born in Richmond, Va. on August 22, 1944, to Mabel Earle Mathews and Gerald Raymond Mathews, who lived in Blackstone, Va., where Gerald was the Agricultural Agent for Nottoway County. They moved to Blacksburg, Va., when Bliss was age three where Gerald was a Professor of Agronomy at Virginia Tech and later held positions with both Virginia and the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a Tobacco Specialist.

Bliss met her husband, James A. “Jim” Brown, at Virginia Tech where she received her BA Degree in English and Literature, class of 1966, and Jim received his BS Degree in Mining Engineering, class of 1965. They married in her Junior year and his Senior year on October 23, 1964.

For over 60 years Bliss was Jim’s loyal companion, wife and supporter in all of his endeavors, having lived two years in Buchanan County, twelve years in Wise, Va., and finally moving to Abingdon, Va., in 1979 where they built their home on The Paramont Ranch. Here their two children finished their teenage years, graduated from Abingdon High, and left home for college.

Bliss is survived by her husband, James A. “Jim” Brown; her son, James A. Brown III, of Charlottsville and wife, Diana; her daughter, Laura C. Bliss of Morgantown, WV; her five grandchildren, Sibylle Dehart, Valerie Brown, Eva Bliss Bohne, Dare Bohne and Egan Bohne; and one sister, Christie Knox of Richmond, Va.

Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Knollkreg Memorial Park and Gardens with the Reverend Jerry Eggers officiating. Due to road construction, those desiring to attend may access the Cemetery via 561 E. Main Street (directly across from Food Country) or via a small gravel driveway, adjacent to a fire hydrant, on Boone Street S.W. opposite 600 Cherry Street.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Ballad Health Foundation designated for the Ballad Hospice Care Fund.

The family of Bliss M. Brown is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276) 623-2700.