Marion Robert Brown

Marion Robert Brown was born March 14, 1945, at home in Dekalb County, Tennessee to the late Willie and Bertha Brown. He passed peacefully from this life December 9, 2022, surrounded by his loving family under the compassionate care of Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro, TN. The home of his birthplace sat upon the crest of a hill that is now an island of Center Hill Lake visible from Floating Mill Park. As a child his family was among other families who relocated from the area during the TVA construction of Center Hill dam. With his parents and sister, the family settled in the neighboring Warren County community of Smartt Station until later moving to Auburntown, TN where Robert graduated high school in 1963. After graduating high school and while attending Draughon's Business College in Nashville, TN he began working in the transportation industry where he made a career in dispatch and customer service until retiring in 2005 from manufacturing company A.O. Smith (McMinnville, TN). Robert was a member of New Hope Church of Christ.

Robert married Barbara Agnes Rogers on June 28, 1969. They enjoyed 48 years of happy marriage until Barbara's untimely death on March 19, 2018. Together Robert and Barbara were most proud of their two sons Roger and Bryan. They often enjoyed family vacations to the Smokey Mountains and the Gulf Coast as well as trips to visit extended family in Arkansas and Indiana. In this life Robert enjoyed classic cars, especially Ford Mustangs. He spoke with fondness about the first new car he ever purchased, a 1967 Ford Mustang. He was a devoted husband, father, and "Pa." He was especially proud of his three grandsons who were the delight of his life.

Following Barbara's death, Robert later married an Auburntown school friend, Nancy King Trail on November 23, 2019. Together Robert and Nancy were mutual companions in their retirement years. They enjoyed attending church together, countryside road trips, and entertaining family and friends in their home. The front porch of their farmhouse was a favorite place they often shared together, taking in the scenic view and soothing southern breeze.

Robert is preceded in death by spouse Barbara Brown; parents Willie and Bertha Brown; sister Geraldine Brown Logue Holzworth; brother-in-law Donald Logue; and brother-in-law Bill Holzworth.

Robert is survived by wife Nancy Trail Brown, sons Roger (Katie) Brown of Lexington, TN and Bryan Brown of Murfreesboro, TN; three grandchildren Elijah Brown, Caleb Brown, and Brody Brown; two stepsons Lynn (Krista) Trail and Bradley Trail both of Bradyville, TN; two step-granddaughters Kaitlynn Trail and Kathryn Trail. Robert is also survived by brother-in-law Douglas Rogers; nephew Jim (Marsha) Logue and niece Phyllis (David) Hill; and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Bill Brown, Michael Himes, Caleb James, Chris James, Colby James, Will Logue, Bradley Trail, and Lynn Trail.

Honorary pallbearers are Shae Basham, Dwaine Basham, Wayne Jacobs, and Jim Sabia.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 13, 2022 in the McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel. Bro. Ralph Richardson and Bro. Roger Brown will officiate. Interment will follow at Liberty Cemetery. The Brown Family will receive friends on Monday from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and again on Tuesday from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service at the parlors of McMinnville Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Alive Hospice in Robert's memory. Donations can be made online at www.alivehospice.org/get-involved/give.