Gary Brown

Gary Lee Brown, age 82, of Shoals, NC passed away on Saturday morning December 3, 2022. Gary was born in Tobaccoville, N.C. on September 15, 1940, to the late Alton and Kate Kiger Brown. He was a devoted Christian and loved to work and stay busy. Gary was a devoted husband to his late wife Ann Marion Brown and a loving, supportive father. Some of his favorite times were spent with his grandchildren when they would come to stay at his house for a few days when they were young. He loved to spoil them by taking them to the store for ice cream or by giving them a ride around the farm on his tractor. He continued to enjoy visits from both the grandchildren and great-grandchildren throughout his life.

Gary lived a rich, full life and was well known by many throughout Surry County. Gary tried several career paths early in his adult life, including working as a mechanic at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, operating a community store as partial owner/operator of Brown Grocery and Oil and starting his own pest control business. However, his real love was farming. Gary began farming tobacco in his 20’s and later made that his sole focus for many years. After tobacco farming, he later worked in construction before retiring from the workforce. He wanted to remain active in farming after “retirement”, so he continued to work with Chad Bullington on his farm for many years. He particularly loved selling strawberries each spring because it gave him the opportunity to meet and talk with so many people.

Gary was proud to serve the Shoals community for nearly 50 years by serving on the Board of Directors for Surry Communications. He has served as President of the Board for the past 20 years. In addition, he has been a member of the Board of Directors for Carolina West Wireless for the past 20 years. Gary also served on the Surry County Board of Equalization and Review, hearing appeals related to property tax matters.

Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Marion Brown, his father, Alton Brown, mother Kate Kiger Brown, brother Joe Brown, sister-in-law Barbara Brown and brother-in-law Bill Gibson. He is survived by his daughter Melody Brown, son Chris Brown and wife Mary Jo; step-sons Myron Marion and wife Dawn and Tracy Marion and wife Lisa;  grandchildren Christopher Brown and wife Heather, Steven Brown, Stephanie Brown, Courtney Ashley and husband JC, and Chloe Brickley and husband Jordan; great-grandchildren Susan Brown, Miles Ashley, Mason Ashley, Lina Brown and Amelia Brickley; several step-grandchildren; sisters, Willie Gray Gibson and Wanda Kay Sprinkle with husband Charles; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Gary will be greatly missed by his family, his many friends throughout the community and his colleagues at Surry Communications.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 9, 2022 at Pinnacle United Methodist Church at 1:00pm with Pastor Janet Dixon and Rev. Joe Atkins officiating.  Visitation will take place at Cox-Needham Funeral Chapel on Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 5:30pm-8:00pm.  Interment will take place following the funeral service at Forsyth Memorial Park.

Cox-Needham Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Brown family. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gary Brown, please visit our floral store.