Charles Brown

Balsam, Reverend Charles Brown, age 74, passed away peacefully at Haywood Regional Medical Center on January 5, 2009. He was born in Haywood County to the late Rayford Lee and Ethel Parton Brown. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Anita Louise Lowe. Charles served as a Staff Sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper, spending time in Germany on special assignments and was honorably discharged in 1956. He lived in Salem, New Jersey for 20 years where he worked as a supervisor at Mannington Mills for 17 years. Charles returned to Haywood County in 1969 and worked as a supervisor at Dayco for 3 years, Wintex Knitting Mills for 5 years, and Haywood Electric Service for 22 years, retiring in 1997. He was a former part owner of Haywood Appliance and taught Electrical Continuing Education at Haywood Community College. His love of sports and his grandson, Chad, led him to coach little league baseball for several years. He was also a Baptist minister and pastored churches in Haywood and Jackson County for 35 years. Charles was a member of Balsam Baptist Church and had served on the Building and Grounds Committee for several years. Reverend Brown loved the Lord and served him well until he took his final breath. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Mary Doris Beck Brown; one daughter Deborah Souderes and her husband, Michael, of Clyde; a grandson, Chad McCall, and his wife, Jennifer of Mills River; one step-grandson, David Souderes and wife, Sarah, of Saunook; one step-grandaughter, Kim Brancato and husband, Jason, of Charlotte; and four step-grandchildren, Elisabeth and Abigail Souderes and Jackson and Jacob Brancato. He is also survived by five brothers, Bill Brown and wife, Patty, Carroll Brown, L.C. Brown and wife, Darlene, James "Tommy" Brown and wife, Pat, Kenny Brown; two sisters, Barbara Jo Casper, Patricia Durham and husband, Robin, all of New Jersey; and two half brothers, Bobby Ray "Danny" Moody and wife, Kirsten, of South Carolina and Edward Moody and wife, Sandra, of Canton; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at Balsam Baptist Church with Reverend Johnny Swanger, Reverend Cecil Saunders, and Reverend David Souderes officiating. Burial will follow at Balsam Baptist Church Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by VFW Post 5202 and American Legion Post 47. The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville and at other times, at the home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Balsam Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 280, Balsam, NC 28707.

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