Chester Holland Brown, Sr., 69, devoted husband, father and friend passed away July 25, 2008 after a valiant fight against cancer. Born in Jackson, NC, he was a son of the late Lillie Lassiter and Jordan Cleveland Brown. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Mary Ross Beale Brown; his daughter, Madeline B. Fodrie and husband, Cecil, of Virginia Beach; two sons, Chester H. Brown, Jr. and wife, Christy, of Raleigh, NC and Matthew Ross Brown and wife, Dana, of Richmond Hill, GA; his beloved grandchildren, Jordan Wood Brown, Matthew Ross Brown, Jr., Chase Holland Brown, Mary Helen Brown and Reagan Elizabeth Brown; a sister, Nancy Blalock of Richmond, VA; two brothers, L. Collin Brown of Franklin and Richard Brown of Kinston, NC. He was predeceased by a brother, J. C. Brown, Jr.
Holland was employed at Union Camp Corporation for 38 years where he served as a class-A electrician for over 30 years and retired from the Mill Engineering Department. He was a former Union President of Local 176 of The International Brotherhood of Fireman and Oilers. Following his retirement, he was a funeral staff assistant at Wright Funeral Home. An avid hunter and fisherman, he was president of the Bronco Rod and Gun Club and a former president of the Woodman of the World Camp 18. He was a longtime volunteer youth sports coach at the James L. Camp, Jr. YMCA and served on the board of the Franklin-Southampton County United Way. He passionately served the community in various other civic organizations. A sports enthusiast, Holland enjoyed many road trips with friends and family to support NC State, East Carolina and his beloved UNC Tar Heels. He was a member of Franklin Congregational Christian Church where he served as a Deacon. His grandchildren were his treasures and he loved nothing more than spending time with them.
The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday in the chapel of Wright Funeral Home with the Rev. James H. Hyatt, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Poplar Spring Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. today (Sunday) at the funeral home. Flowers are welcomed or memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Mrs. Kathy Worrell, 717 Fairview Dr., Franklin, VA 23851 or the Hospitality House at Medical College of Virginia, 612 East Marshall St., Richmond, VA 23219.