Paula Francine Brown

“Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates” Proverbs 31:31

Paula Francine Brown entered the lives of the late John Cornelius and Mary Swann Brown on May 17, 1971. Surrounded by family and friends, she gained her wings on July 10, 2024, after an extended illness at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Paula attended Buckingham County High School and graduated in 1989. She later attended Norfolk State University and Bluefield College, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Psychology. 

Paula loved children. She worked in the Albemarle County and Charlottesville city school systems for years before her illness. Paula enjoyed mentoring, counseling, and teaching young people. Through her dedicated work, Paula impacted so many lives in the Charlottesville community. 

Paula became a mother to Kaila, and through her union with Wendell Burton, she added two sons and another daughter to her life: Wendell Jr., Aaron, and Lauren. Her children were her life, and she dedicated everything to them, as well as her faith.

She joined Chief Cornerstone Baptist Church in Dillwyn, Virginia, at an early age, where she was also baptized. After moving to Charlottesville, Paula joined Park Street Christian Church as a faithful member. Pastor Colleen Swingle-Titus and the Park Street church members were her second family and were there for her whenever needed. 

Throughout her life, Paula was known for her unwavering positive spirit and her ability to bring joy and laughter to those around her. She was a beacon of happiness and will be deeply missed, especially by her children and her brother Paul. Paul and Paula were truly the “dynamic duo”. 

Paula leaves to cherish the precious memories she left behind: her loving and devoted children, Kaila Brown, Wendell Burton, Jr, Aaron Burton and Lauren Burton; two wonderful grandchildren, Amiyah and Aliyah Burton; her loving brother Paul Brown and her cherished brother-in-law, Donald Ray; two nephews, Deangelo Ray-Brown, and Jarrick (Ricky) Ray-Brown; two god-sisters, Dwanda Ross-Johnson (Tae) and Jutta Jackson; four aunts, Bernice Swann, Edwina Swann, B.A. Brown-Sewell (Jeff) and Nannie Anderson; three uncles, Freddie Brown, Lester Brown (Denise) and Tom Brown; very special cousins Arleen Bigelow (Eddie), Garry Brown (Jackie), Crystal Jackson (David), Justine Swann, Alton Swann, Jackie Swann Brown, Timm Brown (Michelle) and Marvinette Palmer (Sentell); close friends Stephanie Hunter, Rebecca Hudnall and Cheryl Knight; the Ray family (Denise, Diahann and Wade), and a host of more aunts, great aunts, great uncles, cousins and friends. 

Thank you to all who knew Paula for your love and support.

A Limb has fallen from the family tree.

I keep hearing a voice that says, “Grieve not for me.” 

Remember the best times, the laughter, the song.

The Good life I lived while I was strong.

Continue my heritage; I’m counting on you.

Keep smiling, and surely the sun will shine through.

My mind is at ease; my soul is at rest.

Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.

Continue traditions, no matter how small.

Go on with your life; don’t worry about falls.

I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.

Until the day comes when we’re together again.