Norman Leonard Brown

Mr. Norman Leonard Brown, age 87, of Valdese, passed away, Sunday, July 24, 2011 at Grace Hospital. Norman was born March 1, 1924 in Valdese to the late, Kelly Wilfong Brown and Callie Ogle Brown. Mr. Brown was of the First Baptist Church, Valdese, and was a retired Truck Driver. Norman was a patriot, serving his country honorable during WWII in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Brown was awarded the Bronze Star. He was a member of the VFW Post 5362 of Morganton. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Norman will be greatly missed.

Along with his parents, Norman is preceded in death by his first wife, Wanda Faye Hughes Brown and a sister, Margaret Hipps.

Those left behind to cherish his memory include his wife, Beatrice Cooper Epley, two sons, Steve Brown and his wife, Karen of Glen Alpine and David Brown and his wife, Sharon of Morganton; two step-sons, Gregory Owens Carswell, of Valdese and Brad Carswell & wife, Gayla, of South Bend, IN;

a sister, Eula Brown Walker, of Valdese;

five grandchildren, Stephanie Carroll, Shannon Clark, Sasha Freeman, Lesley Alderman and Aaron Brown, four step-grandchildren, eight great- grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren and several nieces & nephews also survive Mr. Brown.

A graveside service with military honors will be held 2:00 PM, Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at Burke Memorial Park with the Rev. Noel Schoonmaker officiating. The family will receive friends at Kirksey Funeral Home, 12:00 Noon until 1:30 PM prior to the services on Wednesday.

Kirksey Funeral Home has been trusted to care for the Brown family.