Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

March 15, 2025

CHARLOTTE – Robert (Bob) Holmes Brown died peacefully on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center. 

Bob was born in November 1932 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Charlotte, NC.  He graduated from Central High School (1951), Davidson College (with a BA in History 1955), and received an MA in Education from UNC-Chapel Hill.  His life vocations included: U.S. Army Signal Corps, middle school teacher at the Department of Defense Dependents Schools in Japan and Germany, twenty-two years with Eastern Airlines and eleven years with First Union National Bank. 

Bob was a loving and caring husband to Dora Lee Wiley Brown since their marriage on August 4, 1962, and they celebrated their 62nd anniversary at Aldersgate Retirement Community in 2024 where he enjoyed the last few years of his life.

After meeting Dora Lee as part of a Presbyterian youth volunteer group, and courtship through letters and visits, their married life together began in Japan, where Bob taught at the Department of Defense Dependents School in Saitama-ken. In 1964, they moved to Heilbronn, Germany where Bob continued to teach at the Dependents’ School.  They moved back to Charlotte in 1966. 

Bob enjoyed many years as a father to his daughters, Lee Ann Brown (husband, Tony) and Beth Brown, (husband, Raed).  He was also thrilled to be a grandfather to three grandchildren: Nathan, Samuel and Gerry. 

Bob was predeceased by his parents, Annie Lee Holmes Brown and William Wilson Brown, Sr., and his older brother, Bill Brown, Jr. 

The life, work and community of First Presbyterian Church Charlotte was always central to his life.  He served as a deacon and volunteered for many years with the Loaves and Fishes Community Food Pantry, at First Presbyterian, helping to get food to those in need.  Weekly church services were a highlight of his week throughout his life.

In his retirement years, he served as a community leader at Shepherd's Center of Charlotte where he attended and helped organize many classes and programs for lifelong learning. 

Bob was such a thoughtful, kind and cheerful presence in so many lives.  He deeply cared for his family, his community and his world.  His family, friends and community will miss him greatly. May his spirit continue to shine brightly in our words and actions.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in the fellowship hall of Aldersgate Retirement Community, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC.  Due to an abundance of caution concerning Covid in the area there will not be a reception after the memorial service. The service will be livestreamed at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quJ9-9TRwUI for those unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Bob to Nourish Up (formerly Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays), PO BOX 680791, Charlotte, NC 28216 or via online at www.nourishup.org. 

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.