Leonard Ruben Brown Sr.

COLUMBIA - Funeral services for Leonard Ruben Brown, Sr., 93, will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC, Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. and Reverend Craig Wilkes will conduct the service. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery, Sumter Highway, Columbia, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethany Christian Services, the SC Heart Association, or to a charity of your choice. Mr. Brown died June 4th, was born September 15, 1922, in Madison, Florida and is survived by his wife, Geraldine “Geri” Marie Brown and children Linda Brown, Carolyn Emeneker (Al), and Janet Hobbs (Allan), all of Columbia, SC. He was predeceased by his son, Leonard R. Brown, Jr. He is survived by grandchildren, Trenton Emeneker (Emily), Wesley Emeneker (Kelley), and Mary Carolyn Hobbs; great-grandsons Kenton, Grey, and soon to be born Leif. His grand and great grandchildren were the joy of his later years and he leaves them with a lifetime of love and treasured memories. He was born to George Washington and Sarah Rebecca Clayton Brown. He was predeceased by siblings Mec Brown, John S. Brown, Julia Mae Kelly, Rosalie Rutherford, George Tom Brown, James Brown, and Richard Brown. He is survived by his sister, Margaret Sands, of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is also survived by stepdaughters Hope Andrews (Chet), Kellie Taylor (Ken), and their children. Mr. Brown served in the United States Navy in the amphibious force in World War II as a Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class aboard USS Landing Craft Infantry Large #32 that was sunk off Anzio Beachhead January 26, 1944. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat. Mr. Brown retired after 32 years from the C.F. Sauer Company where he sold Duke’s mayonnaise all over the Southeast. He then established the L. R. Brown Food Brokerage Company. During his career, he received numerous awards for outstanding sales and service. Mr. Brown was ordained a Deacon and Elder at Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church, Atlanta Georgia, served as an elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC, and was Elder Emeritus at First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC. Family and friends are welcome to visit the home and a formal visitation will be held at one hour prior to the service at First Presbyterian Church.