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COLERAIN – On Thursday July 28th, 2022, Lonnie G. Brown, loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away at the age of 97.

Lonnie was born on November 19, 1924, in Colerain, NC to Benjamin Zebedee “BZ” and Minnie Britton Brown. He lived in Colerain his whole life except when he served in the Pacific as an airplane mechanic in World War II. In 1952 he became the proud father of Dennis, who added immense joy to his life.

Lonnie spent his life farming on his beloved farms, the Red Oak Farm, and the Charlie Brown Farm; working as a handy man throughout Bertie County after he retired; and traveling the world in his RV. His love of cars, planes and anything with a motor was unparalleled. He was at his most animated when talking about cars, planes, boats, and trains, especially the planes he worked on in World War II.

Lonnie was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rebecca Flanagan Brown; his brothers, JB & Coy; his sisters, Helen Pearce and Pansy Storey; his parents; and his cat, Troubles.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving son, Dennis G. Brown and wife Margaret of Grayslake, IL; his granddaughters, Mary Keller and husband, Ryan of Mundelein, IL, and Betsy McKay and husband, Jason of Gaithersburg, MD; his great granddaughters, Catherine, Olivia, Margaret, and Charlotte; his brother, Howard Brown; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 31, 2022, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service of Ahoskie.

A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, August 1, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Mars Hill Baptist Church, Colerain, NC, with Rev. Al Hughson officiating. Burial will follow in the Brown Family Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory, directly to Mars Hill Baptist Church, 1325 Meadow Road, Colerain, NC, 27924; or you may donate online by visiting www.tmcfunding.com/search; then type, Lonnie Brown, or to a charity of one’s choice.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Brown family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.