RUFUS W. BROWN
Feb. 1, 1929-April 21, 2013
Rufus W. Brown, 84, passed away Sunday April 21, 2013.
Born Feb. 1, 1929, in Fountain, N.C., he was the son of the late Samuel Rufus Brown and Johnnie C. Smith Brown.
He is survived by his wife, Gay Herring Butner Brown of the home; his daughters, Mary E. (Beth) Canning and Catherine A. "Cathy" Steele both of Wilmington, N.C.; his grandchildren, Mary Catherine Steele and Benjamin Steele, Rachel Canning and David Canning all of Wilmington, N.C.; his brothers, Gilbert W. Brown and wife, Betty, and Elbert F. Brown and wife, Linda, both of Goldsboro, N.C.; nephews, Steve W. Brown, Craig Brown and John C. Brown; stepsons, the Rev. Rufus E. Butner III and wife, Lucia, Henry K. Butner and wife, Maria, Brent H. Butner and Sterling B. Butner; stepgrandchildren, Sarah B. Heckman, Geri P. Butner, Rebekah L. Butner, Austin B. Butner and Taiz B. Butner.
Rufus was a retired sales representative for Commerce Clearing House.
He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church for more than 40 years, where he served as a member of the board of trustees, as a Stephen's Minister, on the administrative board and as past president of the Methodist Men.
He also was co-chairman of the Family Ministries Committee and chairman of the Grounds Committee.
Rufus was a member and past president of the Eastern North Carolina chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.
A former member of the Goldsboro Host Lions Club, he served two terms as president, and was recognized as Lion of the Year four times.
He enlisted in the United States Army as a private, and served on active duty, in the North Carolina National Guard and in the Army Reserves, having served as a pilot, master parachutist and instructor. Lt. Col. Brown retired after 29 dedicated years of service.
A memorial service will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church Saturday, April 27, 2103, at 3 p.m.
Visitation will follow afterward in the parlor of St. Paul.
In lieu of flowers, it was his request that donations be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church or to a worthwhile charity.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on April 23, 2013 1:48 PM