Obituary of Burl Thomas Brown

Burl Thomas Brown, age 92, of Burl Brown Road, Vilas, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday morning, December 11, 2018 surrounded by his wife and children. Burl was born September 4, 1926 in Watauga County to Frank and Mattie Mae Greer Brown. He was a faithful member of Vanderpool Baptist Church. Burl treated everyone with respect and had the special ability to make everyone believe that they were the most special person in his life. He enjoyed wood crafting for his children and loved sawmilling, farming, and being surrounded by grandchildren. Mr. Brown is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Allie Hicks Brown; sons, Tommy Brown, Johnny Brown and wife, Sherry, and Joe Brown and wife, Judy, all of Vilas, Scot Brown and wife, Kathy of Zionville; daughters, Sue Hice and husband, Paul, of Lenoir, Gail Isaacs and husband, Bob, and Carolyn Wilson and husband, Tommy, all of Zionville, Lena Faye Oliver and husband, Bud, Chris Miller and husband, Sonny, Lisa Hodges and husband, Lee, and Tonya Brown, all of Vilas; 29 grandchildren, including Wesley, Steve, April and Bill Brown; 48 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Shirley Dancy of Vilas. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother and an infant sister; granddaughters, Reda Gail Garrison and Becky Jo Brown; daughter-in-law, Brenda Beach Brown; and son-in-law, Edward Tester. Funeral services for Burl Brown will be conducted Sunday afternoon, December 16th, at 2 oclock at the Cove Creek Elementary School Gymnasium on Vanderpool Road, officiated by Pastor Andy Watson, Rev. Derick Wilson, and grandsons, Rev. Thomas Brown, Rev. T. J. Wilson and Rev. Jeffrey Austin. The body will lie in state from 1 until 2 oclock. Graveside services will follow in the Vanderpool Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 4 until 6 oclock at Cove Creek Elementary School Gymnasium. The family suggests memorials to the Vanderpool Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Michael Greene, 325 Eagle Lane, Vilas, NC 28692; or to Caldwell Hospice & Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, NC 28645. The family would like to extend a special Thank You to Burls caregivers, Anita Price and Shelton Caldwell. Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Brown family.