Zella Salley Brown

Zella Salley Brown departed this life on June 30, 2026, after 90 years that somehow seemed all too short. She was born Zella Pauline Salley on November 10, 1935, in Chase City, Virginia, and was the eighth of ten children of the late Clarence and Pauline Salley. Zella’s parents were active in their church, Bethlehem Baptist. Zella was baptized at an early age, and attended Bethlehem Baptist with her family. She attended public school and graduated in 1953 from Thyne High School, which had been the first organized school for African Americans in Mecklenburg County. She enrolled at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. While at Virginia Union, Zella joined the Delta Sigma Theta sorority; she maintained her membership and connection to the Deltas throughout her life. Zella met Albert Ryland Brown in Manassas, and they married on June 17, 1961. Their union was blessed with one daughter, Natalie. Zella and Ryland lived in Manassas until 1988, when they moved to Front Royal. After Ryland’s passing in 1996, Zella moved back to Manassas to be closer to her daughter and other family members. Zella began her career by teaching fourth grade at the Antioch-McCrae School in Haymarket, one of several Prince William schools built for African American students. In 1964, along with three colleagues, Zella was given only one day’s notice that she had been selected to integrate the teaching staff of Prince William County Public Schools. Zella was assigned to the then all-white Loch Lomond Elementary School. She remained at Loch Lomond, teaching second grade, and then first grade, for another 24 years until her retirement in 1988. Zella and her colleagues became known as “The Courageous Four,” and Zella was proud of her role in the County’s history. She attended and participated in a number of commemorative events throughout the years, including a 2018 stage performance about The Courageous Four’s experience. Zella was a long-time, active member of First Baptist Church of Manassas, including singing in the choir for the annual cantata. She was also a loving wife, a proud mother, a supportive daughter and sister, a doting aunt, and a caring friend. In a big family with several extroverts, her quiet strength and beauty, as well as her dry humor, made its own special mark. Zella was predeceased by her parents, her husband, and her nine siblings. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter Natalie; two sisters-in-law, Valada Salley and Barbara Brown more than 30 nephews and nieces; many great-nephews and great-nieces; her dear friend Cynthia Ragland; and numerous others among her church family, her hometown, and her community. We give thanks to God for the life of this wonderful woman. -The Family Prince William County Historical Preservation Posting: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EZCkrSBg7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Zella Salley Brown

November 10, 1935 - June 30, 2026