Left Arrow Pointing Towards Wythe County
The central design on the quilt is a assemblage of fabrics into the shape of Pulaski County, where the Brown family resided. Also represented, are two arrows on the outside of the county lines to signify other parts of Virginia relevant to the family. Albert Brown, the father of Arlene and Frances was born in Wythe. Wythe is situated west of Pulaski County, hence the left arrow.
Wythe County Historical Marker (courtesy of J.J. Prats via HMdb.org)
Theodore David Brown
Theodore David Brown was born on May 18, 1919, to Robert and Annie Redd-Brown of Allisonia. Theodore and Frances Brown married and had eight children: Pamela Meadows, Carolyn, Hattie, Tammie Williams, Daphne Howard, Dinnie Williams, James “Junior,” and David “Randy.” Theodore worked several jobs, one of which was his service as a Private First Class in the United States Army during World War II. According to his family, Theodore was an incredibly warm presence to be around, a humble, giving, kind, and protective family man who liked to sing, dance, fish, tell stories, and tell jokes.
Theodore David Brown (courtesy of Redd Family Scrapbook)
Bower Funeral Home
The Bower, formerly Stricker’s Funeral Home, arranged several family members' funerals, including Raymond, Albert, James, Arlene, Hattie, and Frances.
Bower's Funeral Chapel and Crematory (courtesy of bowerfuneralhome.com)
Many of the family members are laid to rest in the Brown Family Cemetery in Allisonia. In 1970, Stanley S. and Bessie Strickler sold their business to Mark and Helen Bower. The Bower family currently operates two funeral home branches in Pulaski and Dublin. This family-run business is committed to and takes pride in investing in the local community by conducting business with other regional partners. The community, including the Brown family, has relied on this business to care for their loved ones.
Allisonia
Hattie Mae Safewright Brown was born on August 17, 1915, to parents John and Rena Ayers Safewright in Wythe, Virginia. In 1937, Hattie married Albert Eugene Brown in Pulaski, and the couple had nine children: Frances, Arlene, James, Carl, Linda, Raymond, Nicholas, Hazel, and Frank. According to the 1940 Census, Albert worked as a laborer for the Works Progress Administration, and Hattie was a housewife. Hattie’s mother, Rena, also signed the 1947 lawsuit for her children, Hattie's siblings, Sadie and Henry.
The Brown family was formed in Allisonia, Virginia. Hattie and Albert raised their children there, many of whom stayed in the area throughout their adulthood. Located in the southwest corner of Pulaski County, Allisonia was established in 1872. Allisonia was once a booming industrial center with several mining operations. After the end of its mining era, Allisonia mainly became uninhabited land. As of the 2020 Census, Allisonia’s population was one hundred and eleven. The pin on the square quilt represents Allisonia's approximate location.
Right Arrow Pointing Towards Roanoke
To symbolize Frances Brown's residence in Roanoke a right arrow is stitched onto the quilt. This arrow is on the outside of the central image of Pulaski County, representing Roanoke's geographic location to the east of Pulaski.
Forrest Miller's Occupation
Forrest Miller, son of Walter and Mattie Koger Miller, married Arlene Brown in 1956. Their marriage certificate lists Forrest’s occupation as a concrete finisher. The quilt block symbolizes the hard work and craftsmanship he has put into his career.
Forrest Miller & Arlene Brown Certificate of Marriage
Arlene Brown was born to Hattie and Albert Brown on April 22, 1938. In 1956, she married Forrest Miller of Allisonia, and Rev. O.L. Johnson officiated their wedding. According to a 1963 issue of the Southwest Times, Arlene played the music at Sandra Leign Marshall’s wedding in Pennsylvania, celebrating love and a lasting union. Arlene relocated to New Jersey, where she passed in 2012.
Forrest Miller and Arlene Brown Marriage Certificate (courtesy of Ancestry.com)
Frances Brown
Frances Brown was born on August 16, 1939, in Allisonia to Hattie and Albert Brown. She married Theodore Brown of Allisonia and had eight children. According to family members, Frances was affectionately nicknamed “Boody,” and Theodore was called “Bub” by everyone he knew. Frances attended the Rich Hill Baptist Church in Allisonia, even after she relocated to Roanoke with Theodore, where she passed in 1980.
Frances Brown circa 1973 (courtesy of the Southwest Times)
Housewife
Frances Brown and Hattie Brown were housewives. These women uplifted their families by caring for their children and homes. Black women have served as the glue for many Black families throughout history, to the present.
Named Participant List
Arlene, Frances, and their mother, Hattie M. Brown, were involved in the 1947 Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA. et al. Arlene was ten years old, and Frances was nine. The two likely attended the Rich Hill School in Allisonia, a historically segregated school for Black children in that part of the county.
Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA. et al. Plaintiff List (courtesy of the District Court of the United States for the Western District of Virginia Roanoke Division)
The named participant list reads, "Arlene Brown and Frances Brown, infants, by Hattie M. Brown their mother and next friend."
Brown
Jill Williams
Created on June 10, 2025
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Transcript
Left Arrow Pointing Towards Wythe County
The central design on the quilt is a assemblage of fabrics into the shape of Pulaski County, where the Brown family resided. Also represented, are two arrows on the outside of the county lines to signify other parts of Virginia relevant to the family. Albert Brown, the father of Arlene and Frances was born in Wythe. Wythe is situated west of Pulaski County, hence the left arrow.
Wythe County Historical Marker (courtesy of J.J. Prats via HMdb.org)
Theodore David Brown
Theodore David Brown was born on May 18, 1919, to Robert and Annie Redd-Brown of Allisonia. Theodore and Frances Brown married and had eight children: Pamela Meadows, Carolyn, Hattie, Tammie Williams, Daphne Howard, Dinnie Williams, James “Junior,” and David “Randy.” Theodore worked several jobs, one of which was his service as a Private First Class in the United States Army during World War II. According to his family, Theodore was an incredibly warm presence to be around, a humble, giving, kind, and protective family man who liked to sing, dance, fish, tell stories, and tell jokes.
Theodore David Brown (courtesy of Redd Family Scrapbook)
Bower Funeral Home
The Bower, formerly Stricker’s Funeral Home, arranged several family members' funerals, including Raymond, Albert, James, Arlene, Hattie, and Frances.
Bower's Funeral Chapel and Crematory (courtesy of bowerfuneralhome.com)
Many of the family members are laid to rest in the Brown Family Cemetery in Allisonia. In 1970, Stanley S. and Bessie Strickler sold their business to Mark and Helen Bower. The Bower family currently operates two funeral home branches in Pulaski and Dublin. This family-run business is committed to and takes pride in investing in the local community by conducting business with other regional partners. The community, including the Brown family, has relied on this business to care for their loved ones.
Allisonia
Hattie Mae Safewright Brown was born on August 17, 1915, to parents John and Rena Ayers Safewright in Wythe, Virginia. In 1937, Hattie married Albert Eugene Brown in Pulaski, and the couple had nine children: Frances, Arlene, James, Carl, Linda, Raymond, Nicholas, Hazel, and Frank. According to the 1940 Census, Albert worked as a laborer for the Works Progress Administration, and Hattie was a housewife. Hattie’s mother, Rena, also signed the 1947 lawsuit for her children, Hattie's siblings, Sadie and Henry.
The Brown family was formed in Allisonia, Virginia. Hattie and Albert raised their children there, many of whom stayed in the area throughout their adulthood. Located in the southwest corner of Pulaski County, Allisonia was established in 1872. Allisonia was once a booming industrial center with several mining operations. After the end of its mining era, Allisonia mainly became uninhabited land. As of the 2020 Census, Allisonia’s population was one hundred and eleven. The pin on the square quilt represents Allisonia's approximate location.
Right Arrow Pointing Towards Roanoke
To symbolize Frances Brown's residence in Roanoke a right arrow is stitched onto the quilt. This arrow is on the outside of the central image of Pulaski County, representing Roanoke's geographic location to the east of Pulaski.
Forrest Miller's Occupation
Forrest Miller, son of Walter and Mattie Koger Miller, married Arlene Brown in 1956. Their marriage certificate lists Forrest’s occupation as a concrete finisher. The quilt block symbolizes the hard work and craftsmanship he has put into his career.
Forrest Miller & Arlene Brown Certificate of Marriage
Arlene Brown was born to Hattie and Albert Brown on April 22, 1938. In 1956, she married Forrest Miller of Allisonia, and Rev. O.L. Johnson officiated their wedding. According to a 1963 issue of the Southwest Times, Arlene played the music at Sandra Leign Marshall’s wedding in Pennsylvania, celebrating love and a lasting union. Arlene relocated to New Jersey, where she passed in 2012.
Forrest Miller and Arlene Brown Marriage Certificate (courtesy of Ancestry.com)
Frances Brown
Frances Brown was born on August 16, 1939, in Allisonia to Hattie and Albert Brown. She married Theodore Brown of Allisonia and had eight children. According to family members, Frances was affectionately nicknamed “Boody,” and Theodore was called “Bub” by everyone he knew. Frances attended the Rich Hill Baptist Church in Allisonia, even after she relocated to Roanoke with Theodore, where she passed in 1980.
Frances Brown circa 1973 (courtesy of the Southwest Times)
Housewife
Frances Brown and Hattie Brown were housewives. These women uplifted their families by caring for their children and homes. Black women have served as the glue for many Black families throughout history, to the present.
Named Participant List
Arlene, Frances, and their mother, Hattie M. Brown, were involved in the 1947 Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA. et al. Arlene was ten years old, and Frances was nine. The two likely attended the Rich Hill School in Allisonia, a historically segregated school for Black children in that part of the county.
Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA. et al. Plaintiff List (courtesy of the District Court of the United States for the Western District of Virginia Roanoke Division)
The named participant list reads, "Arlene Brown and Frances Brown, infants, by Hattie M. Brown their mother and next friend."