WILMINGTON — Charles Wilkerson Brown, Sr. died on December 23, 2024. Charles was born to Ernest Hyde Brown, Sr. and Carrie Lee Wilkerson Brown on December 29, 1934.
He grew up in Ivanhoe, North Carolina, and graduated from Franklin High School in Harrells, North Carolina and Davidson College. In June 1957, he married his college sweetheart and the Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Queen of Hearts, Elizabeth “Betty” Bell. After six months service in the US Army, the newlyweds returned to Ivanhoe to work for the family lumber business, C.A. Brown Lumber Company. In 1965, he moved his young family to Wilmington and bought West Coast Lumber Company along with his brother-in-law Tom Pappendick.
Charles served Christ as a devoted father, church leader, and active community member. He loved exploring the world and took any opportunity to travel. He rarely missed a family reunion where his hugs and sweetness were cherished by his countless aunts, uncles, and cousins. At Black River Presbyterian Church and St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church, he was a deacon, elder, choir member, Sunday school superintendent, teacher, coach for youth basketball, and long-time first baseman and slugger for men’s softball.
Outside of church, he served on the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army, as chair of the North Carolina Azalea Festival Queen’s Court, and as president of both the Wilmington Jaycees and Downtown Wilmington Rotary Club. He enjoyed woodworking, and no home improvement task was too daunting. Ivanhoe always held a special place in his heart. He loved sharing his passion for hunting and fishing there with friends and family.
Charles is survived by his wife, Betty, and his adoring children Lisa Bohbrink (John), Charles Brown, Jr., Anna Brown, and Douglas Brown (Amanda Atkin) and his grandchildren, Hannah Bohbrink, Emily Bohbrink, Olivia Brown, Isabel Brown, Abby Tucker, Frankie Tucker, and Sam Brown. He is also survived by his sister, Carolyn Pappendick (Tom).
Memorials may be sent to St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church at 1416 Market St., Wilmington, NC 28401.
Condolences may be shared with the family here in our guestbook.
