Nelford “Cline” Brown of Vinton, Virginia passed away on August 16, 2023 at the age of 87. He is preceded in death by his beloved parents, John Ira and Mozelle Toney Brown. He is survived by his daughter, Laurie, son-in-law Jack, and grandchildren Thomas and Mary Kate Tanselle of Carmel, Indiana. He is also survived by his aunt Dean Toney Shell of Garden City, Virginia, his long-time special friend Mildred Kennedy of Roanoke, Virginia, his former wife Mary Lou (Calvert) Brown of Lebanon, Indiana, and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
Cline was born at his grandparents’ home along the Blackwater River in Franklin County, Virginia in 1935 and lived most of his life in Franklin County, Southeast Roanoke, and Vinton, Virginia as well as several years in Lebanon, Indiana. He spent his most recent years in Carmel, Indiana near his daughter and family.
Cline was a graduate of William Byrd High School (Class of 1954) and studied business at Ferrum College. He served 6 years in the Virginia Army National Guard, from 1958-1964. He worked as a staff accountant for N&W Railroad, a sales representative for Slab Fork Coal Company, and a commercial insurance account manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield. He spent many years as a dedicated caregiver to Laurie when they lived in Lebanon, Indiana. Later, he moved back to Vinton where he was a devoted son and caregiver to both of his parents in their later years.
Cline was a true gentleman and was loved by so many for his kindness, his witty banter, his curiosity, and his passion for collecting. He was a well-known patron of many Vinton venues: (formerly) Happy’s Flea Market, the off-track horse racing center (now called Rosie’s), the bingo hall, Vinton public library, the War Memorial senior activities center, coin shows at the Civic Center, Bojangles and McDonalds where he had many friends. True to his brand, Cline made instant friends and fans at Magnolia Springs at Bridgewater, his home for the last five years, where he was so well cared for, entertained and pampered, by the staff, his many wonderful caregivers and fellow residents.
There will be a visitation at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel on Saturday August 26, 2023 from 11 AM-1 PM, followed by a graveside memorial service at 2 PM at Franklin Memorial Park, 21440 Virgil H Goode Highway, Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to one of the following places which meant a lot to Cline and his family: “Friends of the Library”, 6303 Merriman Road, Roanoke, VA 24018, In memo please write: Cline Brown Memorial, for Vinton branch. Or to “Impact Life”, c/o Magnolia Springs at Bridgewater, 14901 Carey Road, Carmel, IN 46033, In memo please write: Cline Brown Memorial.
