Joan M Brown

Joan Marie Farnett Brown (July 17, 1958 – April 12, 2024), age 65, of Vinton, VA, peacefully and joyously entered eternal life after battling a series of medical issues which compounded since a premature birth and heart-related complications. Joan was a member of Riverdale Baptist Church in Roanoke where she was instrumental in establishing the media department, leading and training the media team, and creating, curating and distributing content across various media platforms.
Joan was born in Camden, New Jersey. She was a 1976 graduate of Cinnaminson High School where she excelled academically and physically. Joan was accepted into the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1981. Joan was a true trailblazer in that she was in the second class of Women in the Naval Academy. At a time when women were starting to break through the barriers of inequalities, Joan broke through with amazing stamina and grace. Joan’s perseverance impacted women and men at the academy for years to come.
Joan was stationed at Long Beach Naval Shipyard as a Ship Superintendent when the USS New Jersey Battleship (BB-62) was brought into drydock at Long Beach, CA. The USS New Jersey has since been decommissioned and has a memorial resting place in Camden, New Jersey, Joan’s birth town.
Joan continued her naval career in Boston, MA, and was honorably discharged as a Navy Lieutenant in 1988. She went on to be a reporter for a Boston area newspaper, The Eagle-Tribune. Joan later moved to Virginia where she became a flight attendant for Piedmont Airlines, owned by USAirways and American Airlines.
Joan is the daughter of the late Edward Charles and Maria Stipa Farnett. She is survived by her husband, Richard Lee Nimmo; sons, Joshua Brown with wife Emily Brown and granddaughter Joann Brown, Jeffrey Brown with wife Julia Pense and grandson Kaiden Minter, Michael Brown and Jacob Brown; sister, Kathleen Farnett Frost with husband John J Dobosh, Jr.; aunt, Helen Strolle; cousins, Marguerite Strolle with husband Daniel, Clifford Strolle and Charles Ferry.
Joan was a true believer and follower of the only risen Lord and Messiah, Jesus Christ. Her new living quarters are her Father’s house where there are many rooms (mansions). She graciously looks forward to welcoming newcomers into her Father’s expanding digs, that He has built for us in His glory.
Online condolences may be made at www.lotzfuneralhomevinton.com

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