UNION — Mr. Harold Robert Brown, 77, husband of Evelyn Modora Varner Brown, 293 Varner Road, Union, SC went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012 while a patient at Ellen Sager Nursing Home.

Mr. Brown was born in Charleston, SC June 12, 1935, a son of the late Paul David Brown and the late Hilda Byrd LeGrand. He was retired from the United States Air Force with 22 years of service. Following his military career, he had worked for Milliken & Co, Wallace Thomson Hospital and Carlisle Finishing Company. He later retired from the Union County School System, PERC Center. “Papa Brown” as he was affectionately known by his family, friends and community, was a member of Fairview Baptist Church where he served many years as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and was church Treasurer for over 20 years. “Papa Brown’s” family was the pride of his life.

Surviving in addition to his wife of 56 years, Evelyn Modora Varner Brown, are two daughters, Robin B. Bennett and husband Mike of Union and Christal B. Gossett and husband Ronnie of Jonesville; a son, Rev. Robert Tony Brown and wife Carol of Whitesburg, KY; six grandchildren, Chris Bennett and wife Danielle, Tina Gossett Owenby and husband David, Robert Brown, Emily Bennett, Bethany Brown and Jordan Bennett; and one great-grandchild, Papa Brown’s popsicle buddy, Mason Bennett, who is expecting to welcome the birth of a sister, Loralie Bennett in the next few weeks; two sisters, Patsy Fuggett of Lexington and Judy Rowland of Columbia; a brother, Bill Kirshner of Sunset, UT; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A Service Celebrating the Life of Papa Brown, will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012 at Fairview Baptist Church conducted by the Rev. David Lewis and the Rev. Neil Keisler. Burial will follown in the church cemetery with full Military Honors.

Members of the James Patterson Sunday School Class, Deacons of Fairview Baptist Church and Billy Medford are asked to assemble at the church at 1:45 p.m. Saturday to form the Honorary Escort.

The family will receive friends immediately following the committal service at Fairview Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to Fairview Baptist Church, 763 Neal Shoals Road, Union, SC 29379 or to New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Building Fund, 480 Sunny Acres Road, Pacolet, SC 29372 or to Trinity Baptist Church (Channel of Blessing), 309 Barnado Rd., Union, SC 29379.

The family is at the home of his daughter, Christal and Ronnie Gossett, 527 New Hope Church Road, Jonesville, SC 29353.

SR Holcombe Funeral Home

(www.holcombefuneralhomes.com)