Obituary of Dewitt T. Brown

D. T. Brown, Jr., age 85, of Boone, passed away Thursday morning, April 23, 2015 at Watauga Medical Center. Born January l, 1930 in the Cove Creek community, he was a son of Dewitt T. Brown, Sr. and Bessie Moody Brown. D. T. grew up in his fathers garage in Cove Creek, now the historical landmark named Dewitt T. Brown Garage Museum. In l947, he and his brother Paul established, and operated Brown Brothers Construction Company for decades. D. T. always had a love for rebuilding cars and machinery, and in his spare time, enjoyed his flower and vegetable gardens. Mr. Brown will be remembered as a successfully businessman who contributed to and supported his community. He is survived by his children, Shelia Ann Brown, and companion, Lee Hildebrand, of Hickory, Blake Brown of Boone, and Ingrid Brown of Zionville; grandchildren, Tiffanie Skeens Durrence and Lacie Skeens Gibbs and husband, Patrick, all of Glennville, GA.; great grandchildren, Hayleigh Ann Durrence, Layton Lee Gibbs, and Kennedy Grace Durrence, all of Glennville, GA. Numerous nieces and nephews, and his special family friend, Jane also survive. He was preceded in death by his brother, Paul G. Brown, sisters, Billie Brown Sutherland and Josephine Brown Bingham. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday afternoon, April 25, at 2 PM at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Minister Gordon Noble. The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon from 1 until 2 oclock, at Austin & Barnes. Masonic graveside service, provided by the Snow Lodge #363, will follow at Cove Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. At other times, friends may call at the home of a daughter, Ingrid Brown, 2681 Silverstone Road, Zionville, NC 28698. The family respectfully requests no flowers, and suggests memorials to Caldwell Hospice & Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, NC 28645. Online condolences may be shared at the website austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Brown family.