Joseph Lloyd Brown

Local businessman, Joseph Lloyd Brown, Sr., died Tuesday April 21, 2015. He was the youngest looking 90 year old that one can imagine; as well as the oldest member of either the Brown or Spivey families as far as can be determined which was a source of great pride to him especially since he had his first heart attack at forty years old. Joe was born on the family farm in Northampton County near Lasker, North Carolina on April Fools Day 1925. He was the 4th of 6 children born to Lloyd L. Brown and Ruth Harris Spivey Brown. In 1930 during the Great Depression and after his family lost the family farm, cotton gin, saw mill, and general store (Browns General Merchandise), his family moved to nearby Rich Square where he grew up and graduated from Rich Square High School. Unable to serve in World War II due to health reasons, he worked for the railroad in Norfolk, Virginia and then Tallahassee, Florida. He moved to Rocky Mount in 1947 to work as the first drivers license examiner in the area. Joe went to work at Wholesale Oil Company where he became the manager and eventually a partner. From the mid 1960s until the late 1970s, he and his wife, Dot, also operated Browns Gift Shop on the 301 South Bypass. Leaving Wholesale Oil in 1969, he started Brown Oil Company which he ran until the business was largely destroyed by the flood waters of Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Prior to this, Joe, Dot, and their son established two local communication companies which are still in business: Brown Communication Towers and Carolina Mobile Communications. Joe was a natural kidder and tease who made people smile. His hobby for the last forty years was touring in his motor home. He visited 49 states and looked forward to spending every February in Florida until his health would no longer allow him to operate a motor home. During his business career he made time every day to have coffee with a group of good friends: first at Carolina Cafe on North Church Street and at Morris House Restaurant on 301 South, in later years at Hardees on Raleigh Road, and finally at Brians. During the last ten years of his life, he enjoyed eating out as often as possible. In particular he liked to eat at Parkers in Wilson where the three owners (Donald, Eric, and Kevin) made him feel like part of the family. He enjoyed being a member of Benvenue Country Club and was proud of the fact that he was currently one of the members of longest duration (close to 60 years). Joe and Dot were charter members of Englewood United Methodist Church and hosted its first church service in their home on Charlotte Street in 1955. Joe was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-six years, Dorothine (Dot) Massey Brown, both parents, and all of his siblings. Joe is survived by his wife of ten years, Jean Brown Lancaster Brown; son, Joseph Lloyd Brown, Jr. (wife Julia), grandchildren, Joseph Lloyd Brown III, Julia Peyton Brown, and Samuel Hatcher Brown; stepdaughters, Johanna L. Wilson (husband Will), Jennifer L. Crowder (husband Ray), and their children, Rob, Gray, and Andy Wilson, and John and Jordan Crowder. Visitation will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 25, at First Baptist Church in Rocky Mount. The Funeral Service will be at 11:00 followed by a Graveside Service at Pineview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Hospice of Nash Health Care or to Nash Heart Center, 2416 Professional Dr., Rocky Mount, NC 27804. The family would like to express its appreciation to his wonderful caregivers, Lynn Long and Tony Richardson. They would also like to thank Dr. Doug Boyette and the staff of Hospice of Nash Health Care; and Dr. Donald Bales and his nurse, Susan Collier, for their many years of loving care. Arrangements are entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share your memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation First Baptist Church (Rocky Mount) 200 S. Church Street Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-446-9113 --> | Saturday 4/25, 10:00 am - 11:00 am Service First Baptist Church (Rocky Mount) 200 S. Church Street Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-446-9113 --> | Saturday 4/25, 11:00 am Cemetery Pineview Cemetery 761 N. Raleigh Road Rocky Mount, NC 27801