Reece Edward Brown

Dr. Brown died Wednesday, April 13th at home in Athens, GA. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on March 3, 1935, he was the son of Reece Edward Brown, Sr and Lula Baker Brown of Charlotte, NC. He was Professor Emeritus of Extension Agricultural Economics and retired in 1991 as head of the University of Georgia’s Cooperative Extension Service’s Agricultural Economics Department.

A major focus of his career was preparing agricultural economic data and then presenting it in practical form to farmers. He was recognized for developing outstanding Extension programs in farm income tax management, farm financial management, and livestock economics.

Following retirement from the University, Dr. Brown organized and conducted agricultural training programs for international groups from China, Russia, Czech Republic, and several former Soviet Union republics.

Dr. Brown was Secretary-Treasurer of the Clarke County Farm Bureau and served as Vice-Chairman of the Clarke County Republican Party. He was an active and longtime member at Beech Haven Baptist Church where he served as treasurer, deacon, trustee, and member of various committees. He was a member of the Upper Room Sunday school class.

A graduate of N.C. State University, Dr. Brown received a Master’s Degree from Oklahoma State University and a PhD from Purdue University in Agricultural Economics. His professional career began in Halifax County, NC, where he served two years as an Assistant County Agricultural Agent before moving to Athens in 1961 to accept a position as Extension Agricultural Economist at the University of Georgia.

During his Extension career he was awarded a number of honors including the Award for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service and the DW Brooks Faculty Award for Excellence in Extension. At NC State, while a member of the FarmHouse Fraternity, he was presented the Doane Award.

Survivors include his loving wife, Mary Elizabeth Mason Brown whom he wed in 1967; his daughters, Celia Layman of Harrisonburg, VA, and Nancy Huiet of Charleston, SC; sons-in law, Travis Layman and Frederick Huiet, and grandchildren, Erin and Nathaniel Layman. Family members treasure the extraordinary care and support given by hospice nurses and by caregivers, Ruby Fleming, Dianne Turner, and Michael Davis.

Dr. Brown was a man of faith who exemplified the Christian traits of love, kindness, gentleness, and goodness. Friends will also remember him as a great American. His hobby was vegetable gardening. It was his joy to share his delicious tomatoes with friends and neighbors.

A memorial service will be held at Beech Haven Baptist Church on Friday, April 15th at 2PM with Dr. Stewart Simms officiating. A greeting time will immediately follow the service in the church fellowship hall. Pallbearers are Cecil Smith, Bill Givan, Wayne Jordan, Chuck Steele, Norman McGlohon, Bill Bowen, Rufus Beaty, and Lee Weaver. Honorary pallbearers are deacons and members of his Sunday school class.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Beech Haven Baptist Church Library, 2390 W. Broad Street, Athens, GA 30606 or to the Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.