J.V. Brown, 83, Flat Rock, passed away Friday, March 7, 2014 at home surrounded by his loving family.
A native of Rutherford County and a resident of Henderson County most of his life, he was a son of the late Wilbern F. and Effie E. Jones Brown. He was also preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty Pruitt Brown; sister, Patricia Freeman; brother, Daniel E. Brown; grandson, Jacob Paul Tankersley.
He served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper and helped train paratroopers during the Korean War. Mr. Brown helped establish Blue Ridge Fire & Rescue, was a life time member and a former chief and fire commissioner.
He was employed by Cranston Print Works, retired from General Electric and was a jack of all trades that could do anything. He was a practical joker and a prankster. J.V loved his family with all of his heart and was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
Survivors include his son, Gary Brown and wife, Barbara; daughters, Carolyn Cox and husband Daniel, Rhonda OíConnor and husband Tom, Sheila Barnwell and husband Ricky, Glenda Tankersley and husband Doug; grandchildren, Julie Holbert, Jeremy Cox, Lisa Hardy, Gary Brown, Jr., Cindy Staton, Kim and Heather OíConnor, Tanya Levi and Elijah Tankersley; 31 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Jane Prince; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral will be 2:00 pm, Monday, March 10, 2014 at Victory Baptist Church with Pastors Stanley Adcock and Doug Tankersley officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Sunday, from 5 to 8 pm at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.
A guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.forestlawnhendersonville.com.
Forest Lawn Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.


So sorry for your loss.We knew J.V. at g.e. for many years,he was such a funny guy.Our thoughts and prayers to all the family at this sad time,cherish the good times! Sharon and Tommy King
So sorry for your loss.We knew J.V. at g.e. for many years,he was such a funny guy.Our thoughts and prayers to all the family at this sad time,cherish the good times! Sharon and Tommy King
My sorrow and deepest sympathy is with the Brown family. God Bless JV, heís passing into a better place then he lived, to be reunited with his loved ones. Gary, You are strong and now the patriarch of the family now.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. JV will be missed by all of us at the office. He holds a special place in my heart…
I treasure our friendship through the years. You helped me a lot when I first joined the BRVFD. You let me fish at your lake property. We will visit next in Heaven.
Grover Pace
Sheila you and your family are in my prayers…may you have the comfort of angel wings holding you tight…
May the good Grace of a good God be present with the family today. This was a good man and co-worker at G.E. for many years.
I know you will all miss your wonderful dad.. you are in my prayers . we will see you soon, sorry we cannot be there for the service.
Dear Sheila and family,
I am so sorry at the passing of our father. Bless you all as you grieve, but rest secure in the fact that God has him safely home.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May peace and love fill your hearts at this time. May sweet memories take the place of grief as you remember your loved one.
Bless you all.
Leslie Keener Sabo
May the comfort that he’s in a better place ease your pain. So sorry for your loss.