Paul David Brown, 91, died peacefully at Well-Spring on October 17, 2025. David was born on August 9, 1934, in Greensboro to Paul and Helen Brown. He was pre-deceased by his sister Julia Brown Milligan. David was a life-long Greensboro native, a city near and dear to his heart. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Suejette Davidson Brown and their children Lanier Brown May (Jamie), Paige Brown DuBose (Will), Sydney Brown Cardone (Michael), Paul David Brown, Jr. (Cindy); nine grandchildren Hill (Bess), Brown (Lily) and Jack DuBose, Richard (Julie), Hutter and Suejette Black, Jessie Littleton (Ben), Ashley and Collins Brown; great grandchildren Bill and Franny DuBose, Betsy Black and Jimi Littleton; and former son-in-law Richard Black, Sr.
David was educated at Greensboro Senior High School (Grimsley) and Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1955 and trained at Ft. Jackson, SC and Ft. Gordon, GA before serving in the Finance Corps in Kobe, Japan.
He returned to Greensboro in 1957 and began working at Gate City Motor Company as a second -generation automobile dealer. He became President in 1973 and spent his entire career at Gate City Lincoln Mercury until it was sold in 2011 after 99 years. David was actively involved in the automobile industry serving as President of the Greensboro Automobile Dealers Association and the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association, which honored him with a lifetime achievement award in 2006. He was also honored with a Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award for North Carolina in 1987.
David was president of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, founding director of the Better Business Bureau, President of the Greensboro Merchants Association, Director of Crime Stoppers, a founding board member of Greensboro Day School, Director of Junior Achievement, director of United Way of Greensboro, director of Wachovia Bank and Trust Company, director of Gate City Federal Savings and Loan, president of NC Life Insurance Co, Greensboro Rotary Club, Greensboro Jaycees, Greensboro Sports Council, president of Greensboro Country Club, and trustee at Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh where all three of his daughters graduated. He served the city of Greensboro when appointed to fill a vacancy on the City Council in 1988 and was then elected to a two-year term.
David was actively involved in leadership roles in the local hospitals, serving as a board member and then Chair of Wesley Long Hospital board of trustees, leading the merger of Wesley Long/Cone hospitals. He became the first chair of Cone Health. He was honored with the NC Hospital Association trustee service award in 1995.
The Canterbury School in Greensboro held a special place in his heart as all nine grandchildren were proud graduates. He was an active volunteer, fund raiser, board member and ambassador from the day that the school opened its doors. He was especially proud of the Phillips Chapel, which he helped envision and lead the fund-raising effort. In 1999 Canterbury presented him with the Founders Day award for his service and in 2021 named the library and administrative building P. David Brown Hall.
David and Suejette have been active members of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church since 1958. He served on the vestry for many years, chaired the day school and taught seventh grade Sunday school for ten years.
David was an avid golfer and could be found on the golf course with friends every Saturday and Sunday. He loved to play on courses across the state and especially in Pinehurst at the Country Club of NC where he served on its board of directors. He instilled the love of golf in his grandsons and his sons-in-law and would often be seen playing and coaching them.
He loved the Carolina Tar Heels and was an avid fan and member of the Rams Club for 60 years. He loved going to football and basketball games and rarely missed an opportunity to engage in conversation about the University, He stayed current on all things Carolina throughout his life.
David’s greatest legacy is his love for his family to whom he was devoted. “Biggie” as he was fondly known to his family, instilled a love of family, faith and community service in his children and grandchildren. He led by example. He was fun, he loved music and was a great dancer. He had a razor -sharp sense of humor and enjoyed a good joke. He was a loyal friend, a great Tar Heel, a concerned neighbor, and a good citizen.
The family would like to thank the health care providers at Well-Spring for their loving care. A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church on Friday, October 24th at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception in the Haywood Duke Room. Memorials may be sent to the Canterbury School, 5400 Old Lake Jeanette Road, Greensboro, NC 27455 or Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 607 N. Greene Street, Greensboro, NC 27401. Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm Chapel is assisting the Brown Family. Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.
