John Robert (Bob) Brown

John Robert (Bob) Brown of Maryville passed away on Monday, 12 April, 2021 at 7:30 A.M. at his home at Brookdale of Sandy Springs. He was 86. He was born at his grandparent’s home in Bunker Hill, Indiana, on 22 September 1934. His parents and grandparents were farmers and Angus cattle breeders. Bob was married for 57 years to Charlene Roper Brown. Together they were partners in Christian ministry at Monte Vista Baptist Church for many years. He served as deacon and chairman of the deacons. He also served as media specialist for the church, cataloguing materials and running the lights and sound system in the “crow’s nest” for many weddings, services and special events while Charlene played the piano. The couple met at Berry College where Bob studied Animal Husbandry and performed work study on the cattle farm. They married on 16 March 1956 at Charlene’s home in the East Armuchee community of Villanow (near LaFayette, Georgia). Upon leaving Berry College, Bob served two years in the U.S. Army as a Military Policeman at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana. Because of his background and interest in agriculture, Bob became a Territorial Manager of the John Deere Company, serving first in Lumberton, North Carolina, in the agricultural division and then in East Tennessee in the consumer products (lawn and garden) division. He serviced dealerships for Deere for 25 years from 1961-1986. Upon his retirement from Deere, he served the farming community at Manning Tractor Company in Sevierville and the Ritchie Tractor Company in Maryville. His favorite employment, however, was the years he spent in retirement as a Ranger at Lambert Acres Golf Course. Bob was an avid golfer in his retirement years and he enjoyed weekly rounds with the Coffee Duffers and annual trips with the Waynesville Goddard Group.

Bob and Charlene enjoyed travel and, through incentive programs offered by Deere, he was able to travel to Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, the Panama Canal and the Caribbean. They experienced a special relationship with the Berry College Alumni Association which they served for many years. Bob faithfully followed the Maryville High School Red Rebels football team. The couple especially liked the country ballad “Billy Bob loves Charlene in John Deere green”.


Bob was preceded in death by his Wife, Charlene Roper Brown; Parents, William Price Brown and Mae Shirley Brown; Brother, Bill; Sister, Shirley; Infant Daughter, Olyra Mae; Infant Great-granddaughter, Jacqueline Hope. Survivors include; Children and spouses, Pam and Rick Davis; Ken and Kim Brown; Barbara and James Pennington; Grandchildren, Sarah, Grant, Hope, Jennifer; Great-grandchildren, Dalton, Sullivan Mae, Neyland, Oliver, Miles, Cohen; Special Friend, Doris Evans. The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale Browns Creek and Brookdale Sandy Springs for its care for Bob. A graveside service will be held Saturday, 17 April, 2021 at 3 P.M. at East Armuchee Baptist Church, 3196 East Armuchee Road, LaFayette, Georgia 30728 (near Villanow). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Building Fund, Monte Vista Baptist Church, 1735 Old Niles Ferry Road, Maryville, Tennessee 37803.