"In any small community, the medical professionals play a crucial role. Dr. William Rufus Brown played that role for the Water Street Community. Born in Trinidad in the British West Indies, Brown came to Salem in 1911. Although he began in general practice, he eventually settled on becoming an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist. In addition to his Salem practice, he was a leader on the staff of Roanoke's Burrell Memorial Hospital, the valley's premiere African American medical facility.

Salem's only black physician, Dr. Brown went beyond a medical presence to serve as a civil leader as well. An active member of John Wesley Methodist Church, he was also involved in the local YMCA, NAACP, and the Salem Town and County Civic League. He was instrumental in the campaign to build Carver, and one of the men responsible for bringing Boy Scouts to Salem's black youth. He also was active in recruiting and registering black voters. His uncompensated membership of the Selective Service System won him citations by Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower. He died in 1964." End of Quote

Adeline moved to Pittsburgh in the early 1930s and bringing her son William to live with his Uncle William as she sought to establish a home for herself and son. 

She met and married a dynamic and very skilled construction worker and union member from Indiana named Lloyd Brown around year 1940.

Marriage helped him to avoid the conscription for World War II as it had taken his brother during World War I.