Charles Brown

STEWART – Charles “Charlie” Franklin Brown, 90, of Stewart, Ohio, peacefully passed on from

this earth to be with God on September 12, 2025. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Born January 13, 1935, Charlie lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for nine years. After losing his

mother, Mary Marcella Cole Brown, at only 17 months of age, and his father, Elmer Davis

Brown, at age nine, Charlie was raised by his wonderful half-sister, Mae Brown, in Broadwell,

Ohio.

Charlie fondly recalled growing up in the quaint Appalachian village, where the neighbors doted

on “the only little boy in town.” His children and grandchildren loved to listen to the stories he

shared– accounts of the Civil War, urban legends, local characters, and even Mr. Broadwell and

his 36 dogs. He spoke often of playing in Federal Creek, fishing with Uncle Webb, and watching

floodwaters rise and fall through the town.

After graduating from Rome-Canaan High School 1952, Charlie served four years in the U.S.

Navy, including sixteen months with the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served as a medic and that service counted as two years of medical schooling. He later earned bachelor’s and

master’s degrees in education from Ohio University in the early 70’s. On December 21, 1959, he married Judi Laughlin, and they built their life together in Stewart, where he lived the rest of his days.

Charlie taught science at Rome-Canaan and Federal Hocking Middle Schools for 43 years.

Known to several generations of students as “Mr. Brown”, he adored teaching and sharing the

kids’ excitement at learning new things. After retiring, he continued substituting for 13 years in

Athens, Washington, and Wood Counties. Charlie was an environmentalist, therefore, chose a green burial. He was also a member of the World Wildlife Association.

Most of all, Charlie cherished being a dad and grandpa. He was a devoted father to his son,

Eric, and daughter, Amy, and delighted in spoiling his eight grandchildren. He loved walking in

the woods with them, sharing his love of nature, cheering at their games, and supporting them

in everything they did. He will always be remembered as a kind, gentle, selfless, wise, and

spiritual man.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Judith Brown of Stewart; son, Eric (Lori) Brown of Guysville;

daughter, Amy (Paul) Harris of Marietta; six grandchildren: Ian (Claudia) Harris, Christian Harris,

Emily (Jacob) Moncher, Trey Harris, Samantha Brown, and Chloe Harris; and great-grandsons,

Ethan, Holden, and Owen Harris.

He was preceded in death by grandsons Cameron Matthew Brown and Ashton Issac Cole

Harris, who live in our hearts forever; his parents, Elmer and Mary Brown; half-brother, Roy

Brown; and beloved half-sister, Catherine Mae Brown Parmiter.

Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M., Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Parkersburg, WV, with Father John Rice officiating. Burial will follow in the Stewart Cemetery in Stewart, OH, where military graveside services will be conducted.

Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5-7 P.M. at White Funeral Home in Coolville, OH.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Charles’ name, to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the staff at Amedisys Hospice for the wonderful care that was given to Charles.

You are invited to sign the online guestbook at ehwfh.com.