Ralph Brown, Jr.

'Blessed is the Man who walketh in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night'. Psalms 1:1-2 Mr. Ralph Brown, Jr., 79, passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2015, at Franklin Woods Community Hospital surrounded by his family. Ralph was born in Elk Park, North Carolina, April 9, 1936 and moved to Johnson City in early 1940. Ralph was a graduate of Lamar High School. Ralph proudly served in the United States Air Force until 1962. He worked in the grocery business for over fifty years, the longest being Giant Food Mkts. He also was employed with Food Lion and was an Assistant Manager with Food City until his retirement in 2006. Ralph was a longstanding member of Piney Grove Freewill Baptist Church. Ralph is preceded in death by the love of his life for fifty-nine years, Jeanette Patterson Brown, who passed away January 12th, 2015. His parents, Ralph Brown and Rexie Hughes Brown, and sister, Mary Brown Poarch, also preceded him in death. Left to cherish the wonderful memories are: his daughter, Jamie Brown Parks and her husband Jimmy of Johnson City; special son, Drew Garland and his wife Alison of Memphis, TN.; very special granddaughter, Maddie Garland; brothers, Glen Brown of Elizabethton and Earl 'Pete' Brown and his wife Patsy of Jonesborough; sisters, Louise Giles of Jonesborough and Eula Mae Hurt of Piney Flats; and several nieces and nephews. The family of Mr. Ralph Brown will receive friends from 5 to 8 PM Friday, August 14, 2015, in the Morris-Baker Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow with Rev. Paul Crowe officiating. Music will be provided Roddy Byrd. The graveside committal service will be conducted Saturday at 11 AM in the Monte Vista Memorial Park. Rev. Curtis Hurt, a nephew, will officiate. Active pallbearers will be: Drew Garland, Tony Garland, Nathan Peak, and nephews Paul Smith, Kevin Smith, Aaron Smith and Randy Patterson. Honorary pallbearers will be the Men of Piney Grove Freewill Baptist Church. The Boone Dam Post # 4933 and the Tennessee National Guard will accord military honors. Minister, family and friends are requested to meet at the funeral home by 10:30 AM Saturday to go in procession to the cemetery.