Edward “Beddie” Brown

Mr. Edward Brown, fondly called “Beddie” from childhood, was born on October 29, 1937, to the late Leroy Adams and Winnie Brown in Blenheim, SC. He peacefully transitioned in the early morning of January 21, 2025, surrounded by his wife and caregiver in the comfort of his family home in Ellerbe, NC.

Edward was reared by his mother and grandparents. During his youth, his close-knit family supported him. Edward acquired his education in the Marlboro County Schools. He gave his heart to God at his home church, Cedar Fall Missionary Baptist Church.

In 1957, he relocated to Brooklyn, NY, where he wasted no time seeking employment. Beddie worked in a bakery making desserts and as a security guard in a local pharmacy. He continued to study and became a postal worker, and he advanced to a supervisor position at the U.S. Post Office Mail Distribution Center in New York City.

At age 21, he married his high school sweetheart, Ethel Earline Majors, and to this union, three children were born, Velma Jean, Eric, and Reginal. During this stressful time, his mother became ill and passed away. The family worshiped at the St. Paul Disciple Church, where Beddie was a member of the Mass Choir.

Later, Beddie relocated to Blenheim, South Carolina, to continue to work as a long-distance truck driver for various companies and other side jobs. He then relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he worked and retired from Old Dominion Trucking Company. There, he became a member of Eastway Drive Church of God. During this period, he met and married his soulmate, Dovie Steele-Wright. Their life was blended with Dovie’s sons, Larry and Barry Wright. Dovie’s family received Edward with open arms. They became members of Holly Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where he was ordained as a Deacon. Edward worked tirelessly until he was called to return to Cedar Fall Missionary Baptist Church. Their marriage and life’s goals were based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Upon returning to their home in Ellerbe, Edward joined St Luke #1 Original Freewill Baptist Church in Ellerbe, under watch-care membership.

Edward was preceded in death by his daughter, Velma Jean Brown-Atkinson, a brother, Franklin Brown, and a sister, Helen Brown. His first wife was Ethel Earline Majors Brown Downing.

A MAN OF STRENGTH, LOVE, AND PEACE, ED leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Dovie of the home; his sons, Eric Brown (Beulah) of Aldie, Virginia, Reginal Brown (Callie) of Brooklyn, New York, Larry D. Wright of Raeford, North Carolina, and Barry D. Wright of Ellerbe, North Carolina; his grandchildren, Velma Monique Atkinson Jones of Aldie, Eilah Davis (Alexander) of Alexandria, Virginia, Asia and Cire Brown of Aldie, Virginia; Daishawn O. Wright of Virginia, Briana Stancil-Wright of Hamlet, North Carolina, and McKenzie Jones of Aldie, Virginia; his sister, Patricia Brown of Brooklyn, New York; three nephews; three nieces; five grand-nieces; seven grand-nephews; three great-nieces; four-great nephews; and a host of family, friends, and lifelong friends, Richard Dixon and Robert Moore.