BURGAW- Raeford Eugene (Gene) Brown of 505 South Walker Street died Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008 at his home.

Mr. Brown was born October 19, 1922 in Burgaw and was the son of the late Haywood F. and Olivia Brown. Following graduation from Burgaw High School Gene attended North Carolina State College, now North Carolina State University in Raleigh, School of Engineering.

In 1943, he entered the United States Army and served three years with the Fifth Army in North Africa and Italy. Following his military service he returned home and began a career with the old Post Office Department where he became postmaster of Burgaw, a position he held for 31 years. In 1977 Mr. Brown became the postmaster in Wallace and served in that capacity for the next six years until his retirement from the United States Postal Service after having served a total of 43 years.

Active in community life, Mr. Brown served as a member and president of many local organizations including the Jaycees and the Burgaw Lion's Club where he was awarded life memberships. He was one of the organizers of the Pender County Fair Association and served as president and manager of the annual Pender County Fair. He was one of the original members of the Pender County Rescue Squad and served as the captain for several years. He was a member of the Burgaw Area Chamber of Commerce, the W. Dudley Robbins American Legion Post No. 165, and King Solomon Lodge No. 138 A.F. & A.M. where he served as a mason for over 60 years.

Mr. Brown played an active role in the workings of Pender Adult Services, Inc. and was a member of the board of directors and chairman of this organization during the time of planning, construction and completion of the headquarters and service building, The Heritage Place.

In 2004 he was awarded the North Carolina Governor's Award for Volunteerism and Community Service.

In 1980 he was elected to the Pender County Board of Education and served in this position for 12 years. It was during this time that the first school building program in many years for Pender County was begun with the construction of two high school buildings in the county.

Following this period of service he was elected to the Town Board of Burgaw and served until his death.

As an active member of the Burgaw Baptist Church, Mr. Brown served for many years as the chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee and chaired a committee which wrote the first Church Constitution and By-Laws which is still being used by the church. He also served as a deacon and for nineteen years taught the Men's IV Sunday School Class, which is now named the Gene Brown Men's IV Sunday School Class.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jeffery Alan Brown; and his sisters, Hazel Brown and Rachael Wilkerson.

Mr. Brown is survived by his wife of 58 years, Helen Johnson Brown of the home; son, Dr. Raeford Brown and wife, Dr. Cathy Brown of Lexington, KY; daughter, Kimberly Farmer and husband, Tommy of Wilmington; grandsons, David Brown of Atlanta, GA and Michael Brown of Chevy Chase, MD; and granddaughter, Olivia Brown of Lexington, KY. Also surviving are step-grandson, David Farmer of Wilmington; step-granddaughter, Michelle Farmer of Greenville; and sister, Margaret Carpenter of Rocky Mount.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at the Burgaw Baptist Church with the Rev. Mark Rogers officiating.

Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Park with military honors and masonic rites accorded by King Solomon Lodge No. 138 A.F. & A.M.

Active pallbearers will be Mayor Pete Cowan, Charles Wells, Bill Core, Wes Davis, Dean Brown, and Danny Raynor. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Gene Brown Men's IV Sunday School Class and Town of Burgaw Board of Commissioners.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home, Burgaw.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Memorial Fund of Pender Adult Services, Inc. Meals On Wheels Program, PO Box 1251, Burgaw, NC 28425 or to the charity of your choice.

Condolences may be sent to www.quinnmcgowen.com

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw.