Clifton Ralph Brown, Sr.

Clifton “Ralph” Brown Sr. (1928-2023), loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, left this world to join his heavenly father on January 11, 2023 in his home, surround by his family, at the age of 94.

Ralph was born to Fredrick (Pa Fred) Hill Brown and Annie Newell Thomas on December 27, 1928. Ralph met his bride of 70 years, Goldie Marie Garrett, at Cedar Rock Church in Lillington, NC. They were wed in 1953 and together they had 4 children: Clifton Ralph Brown Jr., Vicky Gail, Jill Renee (Donald) Mangum, and Christopher Scott (Amy). Ralph, a dedicated grandfather leaves behind Heather Renee, Clifton Ralph Brown III, Travis Walter (Antonio), Schyler Morgan, Cynthia Gail Lane, Shannon Christyn Carter, Taylor Garrett (Grace) Carter, Trevor Joseph Carter, and Nikki Shea Phillips and great grandchild Davis James Carter. Ralph was also loved by and close to his many nieces and nephews.

Ralph, a polio survivor, worked for 40 years in civil service at Fort Bragg, NC. After his retirement, Ralph spent over 30 years self-employed as a backhoe and dump truck operator, focusing on water and utility work, commercial grading and leveling, demolition, hauling, and landscaping.

Ralph was an auxiliary member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6722 and volunteered there for over 68 years. The post recently recognized his volunteer efforts with a room dedication.

Along with VFW volunteer work, Ralph spent countless hours helping friends and family. Ralph’s community knew him as a man who was always there to lend a helping hand and a man who never met a stranger.

Ralph was preceded in death by his brother Therman and sisters Gladys, Hazel, and Mattilee. He is survived by brother Buddy Brown and sister Louise Green.

The family will receive friends from 10:30 AM until 11:45 AM Monday, January 16, 2023 at Antioch Baptist Church in Mamers. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 PM in the church sanctuary with Rev. Shirley Bain officiating.A celebration of life hosted by his family will take place at his favorite spot riverside in the spring.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations in honor of Clifton to be sent to March of Dimes:  https://www.marchofdimes.org/donate

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