Odell Brown

Rev. Odell Harding Brown, 91, peacefully passed away in his sleep on Sunday, August 11, 2013. He was born in Winston Salem, NC on April 24, 1922, the fourth of seven children of Colonel Simuel Brown and Mary Isabelle McCrary Brown. The 5 Brown brothers were an original "Private Ryan". He and all 4 of his brothers were actively serving during WWII. Odell enlisted in the Army and was in the 45th Thunderbird Infantry Division. While fighting in France, he was captured and taken as a POW to Germany until his camp was liberated by American troops. He was able to return home uninjured. God's plan was for him to become a minister and he inspired many to seek the path of the Lord. After the war, Odell moved to Charlotte. While driving a truck for Old Dominion Box Company, he met and fell in love with Ruth Kate Knight. They were married from 1947 until her passing in 2009 and spent many years together traveling, camping and enjoying life. They made many camping buddies throughout their travels. Professionally, he was a mechanic and owned several local service stations before retiring from McEwen Services on Morehead in Charlotte, NC. Mr. Brown is survived by his sister, Wilma Hall, of Winston Salem.; sons, Donald Odell Brown (Ann), of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL., Harry Simuel Brown (Debbie), of Monroe, and Terry Harding Brown (Cheryl) of Mint Hill; daughters, Beverly Jane Brown, of Charlotte, and Brenda Kay Brown of Concord. He is blessed with grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Thursday, August 15, 2013 at Hartsell Funeral Home in Midland. The funeral service will be on Thursday at 2:00 pm in the Hartsell Funeral Home Chapel in Midland officiated by Rev. Rick Fite and Eric Brown. Burial will follow at the Sunset Memory Gardens at 8901 Lawyers Rd., Charlotte. Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Brown family.