Katherine Ledbetter Brown

Katherine “Kay” Ledbetter Brown, who lived in Washington, D.C., Arlington, and Springfield, died on Feb. 27, 2019, after celebrating her 100th birthday on Feb. 10. The family will hold memorial services at the Village Church at Greenspring in Springfield, Va., on Saturday, March 23 at 12 noon, and at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in McLean, Va., on May 11 at 11 a.m.

Kay, the oldest child of Margaret Tucker and Charles Bennett Ledbetter, grew up in Polkton, N.C. She used her 1940 music degree from Salem College to play the piano at Fort Bragg for soldiers deploying overseas in World War II. Following Germany’s surrender in May 1945, the U.S. Army sent Kay to France and Germany to entertain soldiers waiting to return home. In France, the builder’s daughter directed German POWs to build a recreation center while she organized everything from chess games to big-band dances.

After the war, Kay taught music at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. Students vied for roles in her annual Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. She also taught children at the British embassy.

In 1952, Kay married Navy Lieutenant Samuel K. Brown, an electrical engineer at the Naval Research Lab. The Browns raised four children in North Arlington. They filled their calendars with school, scouts, and sports events. Kay Brown became an accomplished acrylic and watercolor artist.

While Sam built a long career with General Electric, Kay taught piano, put on another operetta at Sidwell Friends, directed the children’s choir at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, and served as a church elder. The Browns continued to volunteer when they joined Immanuel Presbyterian Church in 1987.

As a 63-year member of P.E.O., Kay served on the international Philanthropic Educational Organization’s executive board in the D.C.-area, including as president.

In 2000, the Browns moved to Greenspring Village. After Sam died in 2001, Kay and another resident started the village’s first gift shop. Kay also starred on stage and played the piano for church services and musical groups into her nineties.

Kay is survived by: sister Cora Pitts; children Roderick Brown (Dana), Priscilla Knight Williams (Randolph), Emelie Brown, and Kathy Jugus (Bill); grandsons Ted Brown (Elizabeth), Scott Brown, Alexander Knight, Eric Knight, Peter Knight (Mary Beth), and Sam Jugus; great granddaughter Verna Knight; and beloved nieces, nephews, and step great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, Kay requested donations to the Greenspring Village Benevolent Care Fund.