Yu Yeh Brown

Yu Yeh “Lynn” Brown (née Wu, Chinese name: 吳玉葉), 70, passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2023. Yu Yeh was born in Tainan, Taiwan to the late Wu Shun Fa (Chinese name: 吳順發) and Wu Hsu Luang (Chinese name: 吳許鑾). She called Kaohsiung, Taiwan home where she was raised as the youngest of 7 siblings. From there Yu Yeh accompanied her husband and Air Force veteran Steven Leroy Brown to be stationed overseas in Japan and England. Because of their love for the area, they settled in Yorktown where they made a home for the remainder of their lives.

Longtime residents of the Yorktown area will recognize her as a fixture in the Empress Restaurant which she owned and operated with Steven. Yu Yeh was never one to rest even after a life as an entrepreneur. Until her final moments and through sickness she continued to selflessly and relentlessly build her legacy for her children and grandchildren by most recently working at the Fort Eustis Club and The Bistro at the McDonald Army Medical Center. Few can ever truly understand her drive, but her children will forever honor her sacrifice.

Yu Yeh was one to never let anyone go hungry and cherished her time with her young grandchildren who all learned quickly that grandma meant business when she had a spoon in her hand.

Preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 43 years Steven Leroy Brown, Yu Yeh is survived by her children, Brandon Brown, Rachelle Schilling (Bill), Jeremy Brown (Jia), Anthony Brown (Su Kyeong); grandchildren, Coti Brown, Kyle Brown, Amber Brown, Ian Schilling, Hali Schilling, Amara Brown, Mirari Brown, Saiya Brown, Ailee Brown, and Loa Brown.

In lieu of flowers, donate in Yu Yeh’s honor to the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/).

Arrangements and heartfelt guidance through Claytor Rollins Funeral Home.

Online condolences to claytorrollins.com.

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