Mr. Bud Lawerence Brown is more alive than he has ever been and with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Born October 31, 1928 in Elf, North Carolina, Bud passed into glory on October 30 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care. Bud was preceded in death by parents, Ben and Goldie Brown; two sisters, Dorothy Lundvall and Barbara Bracken; and twin brother, Benjamin Brown. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Betty Moore Brown; his daughter, Deborah J. Brown; and two sons, Lawrence E. and Brenin K. Brown. He is also survived by brother, James Brown and wife, Frances, of Tennessee; sister-in-law, Lee Brown of Hayesville; and grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Raised as a farm boy in Clay and Cherokee Counties, Bud later joined and served twenty years in the U. S. Army in Europe and Asia, thirty-six years with Bernhardt Furniture travelling extensively around the world on their behalf. He was very active in his community, serving on numerous boards; in church, serving as Sunday School Teacher, youth leader, Missions Committee chair, chair of the Board of Deacons, Elder, Clerk of Session and Trustee of Lenoir Presbyterian Church. He also served forty years as a volunteer of the Department of Defense branch, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), retired as State Chair with a rank of 2-star General, being dubbed “father of ESGR” in North Carolina. The “Bud Brown Award for Excellence” is given each year to a deserving member of ESGR. He and Betty served as Hospice volunteers for 30 years.
Bud carried a suitcase of Bibles throughout Asia for many years and testified to God’s love for all people through Jesus Christ. He also enjoyed home remodeling with his daughter, farming with his children, painting and drawing, woodworking, leather tooling, furniture making, and handcrafting with his wife.
Funeral and visitation were held at Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, North Carolina at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 3, 2018. A memorial service was held at Lenoir Presbyterian Church in Lenoir, North Carolina at 3:00 p.m. on November 11, 2018. Memorials may be given to Lenoir Presbyterian Church, 1002 Kirkwood Ave. NW, Lenoir, NC 28645, Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Ave., Lenoir, NC 28645, or Yokefellow Christian Ministries, POB 2422, Lenoir, NC 28645.
The family deeply appreciates the staff of Caldwell Memorial Hospital, Caldwell Hospice and faithful caregivers Christy Pearson, Tammy Parsons, Kaitlyn Miller, Morgan Preik, as well as Sarah Eckard of Caregivers By Design.
The family expresses special thanks to Lenoir Presbyterian Church for their support during Bud’s illness, Harris Chapel Baptist Church for their prayers and many visits, Hyatt’s Creek Baptist Church for prayers and care. Most special thanks to Pastor Rob Hinman and Pastor Ron Burgett who conducted the service.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.
Jennifer and I have such fond and wonderful memories of Mr. Brown. We had a running joke that we pulled on each other every time we saw each other. Mr. Brown was a good man, an inspiration and most importantly, a friend. May God comfort you all with his love and grace. His grace is sufficient for us all.
David and Jennifer Kent
Lenoir
I did not get the opportunity to meet Mr. Brown but feel connected to him through NC ESGR where he is often remembered. I was the recipient of the Bud Brown Award this year for my work with ESGR. I also built a new home in Lenoir this year so I meet people who say that they knew Mr. Brown because of his work to have employers to sign statements of support for our service members. I will strive to continue his work in this area.
I pray that God will comfort your family at this time of grief.
With much sympathy, Stephanie Vojvoda