Vu Thi Gai “Lon” Brown, 75, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2024. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia. It will be followed by a service in the funeral home chapel, officiated by Ted Vafeas. Burial will follow in Guy Cemetery.
Born in Vietnam, Lon married Bobby Brown, an American soldier, and relocated to the Shoals area, where she became a beloved community member. An accomplished tennis player, Lon earned numerous state and national titles. She owned and operated Grogan Jewelers by Lon and was a dedicated member of Highland Park Baptist Church, knowing her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Known for her generosity, she was a proud supporter of veterans and played a significant role in helping her relatives and family members from Vietnam come to live in America.
Lon is survived by her children: Roger Brown (Jennifer), Linda Gist (Bret), and Jason Brown (Crystal); her grandchildren: Jacob Gist (Ariel), Jordan Gist (Taylor), Madisyn Brown, Maleia Gist, Rachel Brown, Ben Brown, Ella Brown, Beckett Brown, and Karleigh Heitschmidt (Riley); and her great-grandchildren: Orben Gist, Evvie Gist, Phoebe Gist, Fowler Gist, and Naomi Gist. She is also survived by her best friend, Lylan Schofield.
Pallbearers will be Jacob Gist, Jordan Gist, Ben Brown, Beckett Brown, James King, and Roy King.
Lon sponsored the immigration of her brother, Vu Van Binh, along with his five children, and her sister, Vu Thi Tuat, along with her two children, to America so they could realize the American dream as she did.
A Life of Courage and
Generosity
In 1969, Lon moved to this country as a frightened teenager. Born in Vietnam, she did not experience the peace, security, and freedom many take for granted; these were mere dreams in her war-torn land. Living in such conditions, Lon dreams of being free to practice her religion, build a career, and have a safe haven to start a new life and raise children.
Her dreams began to come true when she married a U.S. soldier she met in Vietnam and moved to Tuscumbia. In America, she found a welcoming community and a sense of security akin to being cradled in loving arms. She often recalled her amazement at the size of the country and the friendliness of its people, who showed their big hearts through acts of kindness.
Lon thrived in her new environment. She raised three children and realized the American dream of starting a successful business. Grateful for the opportunities she found, she often expressed her deep appreciation for the freedom she experienced in America, a concept that was unknown to her in her early years.
Her life story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the possibilities that freedom and community can provide.
Please visit morrisonfuneralhomes.com to leave tributes and condolences for the family.
