Gerald Lee Brown

Gerald Lee Brown died Tuesday, July 18th, 2017 at his home in Florence, Alabama at the age of 80 after an extended illness.

Gerald is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joy Snell Brown, one daughter, Laura Gargis (Howell) of Florence, and one son, Larry Brown (Christy) of Cottage Grove, MN. He is also survived by one granddaughter, Ashley Harris (John) of Florence, one grandson, Jeremy Gargis (Katie) of Lawrenceburg, TN, one great-grandson, Silven Harris, and two great-granddaughters, Penelope Gargis and Amelia Gargis. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Jennie Cruikshanks Brown, brother, Charles Robert Brown, and infant brother James Clair Brown.

Gerald was born in White Sulfur Springs, WV on July 25th, 1936. He graduated from Alexis High School in Alexis, Illinois in 1954.  After completing Linotype training, he was a printer for 58 years. Over 32 of those years were spent at Herald Printing in Florence, and he then retired after spending 20 years as owner/operator at Country Lane Printing.

Gerald was a member of the New Hope Church of Christ in Florence where he served as elder for 45 years. He served for nine years as a board member for Mars Hill Bible School. He was also on the Advisory Board for Freed-Hardeman University for several years.

He was accomplished in bowling, basketball, and ping-pong. He loved watching and attending Alabama football games, all Mars Hill athletics, and Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins baseball. He enjoyed fishing, and spending time outdoors, especially with family and friends. All of these hobbies and interests, though, always fell far behind his love for God, His will, and sharing it with everyone that he came into contact with.

The funeral will take place Friday, July 21st at the New Hope Church of Christ where the body will lie in state from 1:00-2:00 p.m., followed by the funeral at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow in the adjoining church cemetery. The funeral will be officiated by Jeremy Gargis, grandson, and Carl Seigenthaler, minister of the New Hope congregation.

Keith Brown, Kevin Brown, Sean Brown, Archie Hensley, Jeff McIntyre, and Lawrence Smith will serve as pall bearers. 

 Service Information