Mary Virginia Ashton

Sis. Mary Virginia Brown Ashton was born to the late Jerome D. Brown and Martha M. Brown
on May 11, 1936 in Maple Grove, Virginia. She went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday,
September 14, 2021 at Mary Washington Hospital, in Fredericksburg, Virginia at 5:20 pm.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and four brothers: Evelyn Plater Shipley
(Carl), Mary Johnson, Charles ‘Sonny’ Lucas (Connie), Bernard ‘Bert’ Lucas, Sr., Vernell
Stanley Lucas, and Theodore ‘Bo Bo’ Lucas.
At an early age, she accepted Christ and joined the Good Hope Baptist Church in King George,
Virginia under the leadership of the late Reverend Lloyd Watts. As a youth, she attended Sunday
School and worship services. She attended Good Hope faithfully serving with the Nurses
Ministry until her health began to fail. She loved wearing her hats to church to match her
dresses and suits.
Virginia, as she was affectionately called, was educated in King George County Schools,
graduating from Ralph Bunche High School in 1954.
On February 26, 1955, Virginia married the late Robert S. Ashton, Sr. To this union there were
four children: Joyce Ashton Fisher, Robert S. Ashton, Jr., Wayne K. Ashton, and Michael E.
Ashton.
Through Virginia’s journey of life, she was employed at Carroll’s Linen Services in Washington,
DC, and the United States Federal Government. She retired from Quantico Marine Corps Base
in 1996. After retirement, Virginia worked part-time at Roses Department Store in
Fredericksburg to fill a void with time on her hands. While working there she met and interacted
with many people; some becoming lifelong friends.
Virginia loved cooking, gardening and attending or hosting family events. Oh, and going to the
casinos-slots. Her special dish was her famous rice pudding. In her youth she could cut a move
on the dance floor. Her children remembered in the 60’s when a dance called the Camel Walk
was out. When they reminisced about the dance, Virginia remembered back in her day how it
was done and showed them with a swagger.
Some most memorable and enjoyable moments for Virginia was being in the company of her
brothers and sisters where Wayne would say, “she’s always showing off when y’all around.”
Virginia loved giving family history about the family home place, the houses that burned downed
in the 40’s, and telling stories about all her aunts (Marie, Lucille, Grace) and uncles (Cleo,
Brownie, Lue, Allie, Willis) from when she was growing up.
Virginia also liked getting her nails done, fussing with Rob saying “either you take me or I’m
going to drive,” and telling Michael, “I’m going to call you my baby regardless of how old you
are.”
Virginia leaves to cherish her memories one daughter, Joyce Ashton Fisher of Jacksonville,
Florida, three sons: Deacon Robert S. Ashton, Jr. and Wayne K. Ashton of King George,
Virginia, and Michael E. Ashton of Temple Hills, Maryland; five grandchildren: Nichole Fisher,
Aleta Hall Anthony, Nikesha Fisher White, Ronnie Peyton, Sr., and Diana Perez-Rivera; six
great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. Also surviving with loving memories
are three brothers: Deacon Robert C. Brown, Jerome D. Brown, Jr. (Cora), and Dennis ‘Sonny’
Brown, Sr.; three sisters: Nancy Brown, Gail Brown, and Margaret ‘Princess’ Brown-Williams;
a goddaughter Trisha Johnson; four special ‘play’ sons: Vincent Holmes, Ed Bailey, James
Cherry, and Reverend Arthur J. Washington, Jr., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and
friends. She had visits regularly on Sundays after church with her niece Etta Mae Lucas and a
special relationship with first cousins Phyllis Ashton and Henry Brown. Sharing special family
memories are three brothers-in-law: Ralph Ashton, Sr. (Helen), Earl Ashton, Sr. (Barbara), and
Vernell Ashton; four sisters-in-law: Nadine Lucas, Ruth Ashton Lewis (James), Mildred Ashton
Holmes, and Athelia Shirley Garland