Charles Brown

MARION, VIRGINIA: CHARLES RAYMOND "RAY" BROWN, JR, of Mechanicsville, Virginia departed this life on September 1, 2007 at his son's home in Marion, Virginia after a gallant struggle with cancer. He was born on February 8, 1920 in Richmond, Virginia to the late Charles Raymond, Sr. and Earle Davenport Brown. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Lois Peace Brown in 2001 and two nephews, Bruce C. Bowles and Charles R. Bowles. He is survived by one sister, Eunice B. Bowles of Mechanicsville, Virginia; one son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Paul G. and Betsy Brown of Marion, Virginia; two grandsons, Preston Hunter Brown and Aaron Spencer Brown also of Marion, Virginia; a niece, Melanie S. Carlton; a nephew, Timothy H. Carlton; and many treasured friends. Ray was a graduate of John Marshall High School in Richmond, Virginia. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Navy from 1941 until 1945. He was an original, and last surviving, founder of Colonial Printing and Stationary Company in Richmond. He retired as president in 1982. He had been a member of the Thomas N. Davis Masonic Lodge #351 (Richmond, Virginia) for 59 years. He served as Master of the Lodge in 1961. He was a member of the West End Rotary Club in Richmond for many years. He served as the club's Executive Secretary for a decade and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. At the time of his death he was a member of the Mechanicsville Baptist Church. For many years he was a devoted member of Calvary United Methodist Church, Richmond, Virginia where he was instrumental in developing a young adult class that he taught for many years. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather; steadfast and a treasured friend; Christian gentleman; an d gifted woodworker. The family will receive friends in Marion at Seaver-Brown Chapel on Monday, September 3, 2007 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friends may call Tuesday, from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee Davis Road, Mechanicsville, Virginia where services will be held on Wednesday, at 2:00 p.m. with the Reverend Lewis E. Carson and the Reverend John Bryant officiating. Interment will be in Washington Memorial Park, Sandston, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 600 West Ridge Road, Wytheville, Virginia 24382. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Brown Family.