Charles Beckett Brown

CHARLES BECKETT BROWN was born on March 12, 1937 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was born the eldest son of Beckett Lloyd Brown and Gettie Murrell Brown of Lane, South Carolina. He departed this life after a brief illness at Johns Hopkins Medical Center. Charles was one of five children. He was fondly known as Sonny to his family and Charlie Brown to his friends. He attended Baltimore City public schools. As a child, he enjoyed building wagons made out of crates and things. He especially enjoyed playing with pigeons and training them to fly and return. He delivered the Afro-American newspaper and worked at the local market at the age of ten. Then, by the age of thirteen or fourteen, he started working after school at a candle making shop. He attended Sunday school at the family church of Waters A.M.E. in East Baltimore. As a teenager he joined Second Shiloh Church of Christ Disciples, DOC. He graduated from Dunbar High School in June of 1956. Immediately following high school he decided to volunteer to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. During his tour he was stationed in North Carolina and Puerto Rico. His tour of duty gave him a lifetime of stories to share with family, friends and especially, his nieces and nephews. He especially enjoyed sharing his experiences of the time “Bay of Pig”. He often sang a song composed by he and his military buddies, which was later recorded. He remained true to the Marine Corps through active membership in the Veterans of Foreign War Post. After his tour of duty, Charles returned home to begin his family life. He had two sons, the late Kevin D. Brown (Chucky) and Keith D. Brown. He was married in 1957 and 1980. He was employed for many years as a printer at Waverly Press, Inc. He later became employed by Continental Can and Chesapeake Box Companies. He retired around 1997 from Chesapeake Box Company. Sonny enjoyed working with his hands. You could often find him under the hood of his car or remodeling his home or the home of a friend. Sonny was a “People” person. He was very gentle and kind hearted. He was extremely protective of his brothers and sisters, and a very loyal and patient person with his friends. He was not one to raise his voice, however, he would get his point across by speaking firmly but with love. He was fair and outspoken against injustices. He was also fun loving. You could always tell if he was joking or serious with you the look in his eyes. He was dependable, reliable, meliculous and orderly. He maintained a sense of humor until his death. His doctors described him as an articulate, professional individual who was serious with a great sense of humor. They were particularly impressed with the manner in which he presented all of his medical records and documents for their information and review. He leaves to mourn his loving family: one son, Keith Brown; two sister, Mrs. Ella Marie Thompson and Mrs. Gladys Henderson; two brothers, Arthur Brown and Minister Edward L. Brown, Sr.; one aunt, Carrie Baker; one sister-in-law, Louisa Brown; one granddaughter, Mia C. Brown; ten nieces, six nephews, six grand-nieces, eight grand-nephews and a host of other relatives an

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Charles Beckett Brown

March 12, 1937 - December 12, 2001