Benjamin "Ben" Brown

Benjamin "Ben" Harold Brown, 92, of Rockwell entered the Church Triumphant on Wednesday, August 5, 2015. Ben was born on November 4, 1922 in Rowan County, son of the late Clarence Everette Brown and Mattie Josey Brown.

A graduate of Rockwell High School, he joined the US Navy in 1941 and served aboard the USS Melville. After the Invasion of Normandy, he was stationed on the Island of Guam, and was in charge of unloading supply ships in the Naval Supply Center as a Chief Boatsman Mate. Following his service during World War II, he returned home and wed Carrie Leona Hampton at Historic Organ Lutheran Church on October 19, 1947 and were married for 67 years before her death in December of 2014. Ben and Carrie moved to Raleigh after their marriage where Ben attended North Carolina State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture.

In 1953, he and Carrie established Brown's Nursery, where Ben continued to grow trees and shrubs until June of 2015. He is best known as an expert propagator of nursery stock. He specialized in grafting and budding of ornamental fruit trees and Japanese Maples. Ben taught many classes in grafting and local and regional colleges brought their horticultural students to meet and work with him. He will always be remembered for many of his local landscaping projects, including Rowan-Cabarrus Community College when it was built, along with the Rowan County Health Department and the many beautiful rhododendrons at both these sites. He landscaped many churches and public schools as well. Chairing the Beautification Committee of the Salisbury-Rowan Chamber of Commerce for many years, he was often seen planting many of his dogwoods and crepe myrtles in public places.

Ben was both a member and president of many horticultural organizations including the Redbud Garden Club, the Piedmont Association of Nurserymen, the North Carolina Association of Nurserymen (who honored him with their highest award), and the Southern Nursery Association. He was also active in the International Association of Plant Propagators.

Active in local PTAs, he chaired the Rockwell School PTA, Erwin Middle School PTA and the East Rowan High PTA. Ben also served as the president of the Rowan County Council of PTAs, and was active in the East Rowan High Bible Association.

As a descendant of Michael Braun of the 1766 Old Stone House, Ben was active in the Brown-Fisher Family Association and chaired that group, helping with genealogical research of the family. He worked with Boy Scout Troop #305 at Organ Lutheran Church, and was a member of the local Gideons camp. With his wife , he also served on the Holly Hut Committee of Hornets Nest Girl Scout Council, a group responsible for the Holly Hut being established at Dan Nicholas Park. He belonged to the Harold B. Jarrett American Legion Post, and was honored to be on the last Rotary Flight of Honor for local Veterans to visit Washington, DC several years ago.

A life long member of Organ Lutheran Church, Ben never missed a Sunday and taught Sunday School up until June of 2015. He served on the Church Council many times as well as chairing it, and chaired the Lutheran Church Men both in the congregation and region. A member of the church's History Committee, he was committed to the preservation and history of Organ's historic old church.

In addition to his parents, Ben was preceded in death by his wife, Carrie Leona Hampton Brown, and his siblings Helen Elizabeth Brown and Leo Everette Brown.

He is survived by his children, Ted Brown of Matthews, Kaye Brown Hirst and husband Ed of Salisbury, and Amy Brown of Greenville, SC. Grandchildren, Darien Brown of Mint Hill, Marisa Brown of Charlotte, and William Hirst and wife Carla of Fort Mill, SC., two great grandchildren. He is survived by his siblings Naomi Miller of Greenville, SC, Betty Buckwell, Andrew Brown and wife Sara, and Ann Miller and husband Clarence, all of Rockwell.

Service: The funeral will be held on Sunday, August 9, 4:00 pm at Organ Lutheran Church, 1515 Organ Church Road, Salisbury NC 28146, conducted by Rev. Carlin Ours and assisted by Rev. Bruce Sheeks. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation: The family will receive friends at Powles-Staton Funeral Home on Saturday, August 8 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in Ben's memory may be made to Historical Organ Lutheran Church Foundation; or to Old Stone House Foundation, c/o Rowan Museum; or to the Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks.

The family would like to offer many thanks to Ben's physician, Dr. Amy Wilson and his caregivers Magen Barber, Betty Frances File and Keith Miller; the staff at the Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks where he resided since late June, and also to Rowan County Hospice and Palliative Care for their care.

Powles-Staton Funeral Home of Rockwell is assisting the Brown family.