RICHLANDS, Va. – Mr. Earl Henry Brown, age 76, passed away Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008, at a local Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. He was born in Jewell Ridge, Va., and was the son of the late George and Virginia Ellen Goss Brown, former Jewell Ridge natives. Earl had worked in the older-style coal mines most of his life and enjoyed riding motorcycles. His greatest passion was turkey hunting with his dogs. After a hard day at the mines, he would come home, grab his dogs and gun and head for the woods. He enjoyed listening to the blues style music, even if it frazzled the family's nerves. Earl was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and hunting buddy. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Kenneth Brown, and one sister, Ella Mae Cook. Those who remain to carry on his spirit are his loving wife of 50 years, Mavis Loretta Brown of Richlands; sons, Earl H. Brown Jr. and wife Bonita of Richlands and Charlie Brown and wife Tina of Claypool Hill, Va.; daughters, Loretta Lowe and husband Bobby of Richlands and Henrietta Gilbert and husband Ronnie of Wardell, Va.; sisters, Irene Bucklen and husband Johnny of Tazewell, Va., and Mary Barnett and husband Stanley of Wardell; brother, the Rev. Clarence Brown and wife Wanda of Richlands; six grandchildren, Ronnie Gilbert Jr., Cory Gilbert, Shanna Sawyers, Zackery Brown, Kennedi Brown and Ashley Spencer; and special friends, Dr. Jun and Patty Farmer. Funeral services for Earl H. Brown will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008, at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with the Rev. Clarence Brown officiating. Interment will follow at the Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill, Va. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call Friday evening at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands from 6 to 9. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.
Bristol Herald Courier on 10/17/2008