The Honorable Frank Roosevelt Brown

Franklin Roosevelt Brown passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Friday,
December 13, 2019. Frank was born and raised in Edgecombe County, the son of the
late Joseph Edgar Brown, Sr.and Gertie Tolson Brown. It was there he met and married
the love of his life, Jo Ann Baker Brown.
Frank attended West Edgecombe High School graduating in 1955. He received the
Morehead Scholarship and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from
1955-1961. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws.
Frank dedicated his life of service to his country, his state and a place he was proud to
call home, Tarboro, NC. Frank served in the United States Army until he returned to
Tarboro to practice law in the Law Firm of Weeks, Muse and Brown. In 1971, he was
appointed Assistant District Attorney and served in that capacity until he was sworn in
as District Attorney of the Seventh Judicial District on November 11, 1976. On January
27, 1978, he was appointed Superior Court Judge and served our state until he retired
October 31, 2008.
Frank was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Mac Brown Britt, Hannah Brown Goff,
Eleanor Roosevelt Brown, Patsy Brown Avent and his brothers William R. Brown and
Joseph E. Brown, Jr. Now Frank has joined his wife, Jo Ann, to continue their earthly
love into eternity.
The legacy of his love and life has been left to his family: his children, Cindy Brown
Berry and husband Steve of Rocky Mount, Terry Brown Culpepper and husband Daniel
of Folly Beach, SC, The Honorable Joseph Edgar Brown, III and wife Ellen of Wilson.
The pride and joy of Pop’s life were his grandchildren; Christopher Berry and his wife
Courtney, Matthew & Thomas Berry, Will, Joseph and Hannah Brown.
He is also survived by his sisters Viola Ward of Raleigh, Carole Brown Coats of Rocky
Mount and his brother Phillip Brown of Tarboro; several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 18th from 1:30-3:00 in the
fellowship hall of St. James United Methodist Church. The Memorial Service will be held
at 3:00 followed by a graveside burial.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests Memorial gifts be given to St. James United
Methodist Church in Tarboro or to the Jo Ann Brown Endowed Scholarship at
Edgecombe Community College.

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