Charles Otis Brown

Charles Otis Brown

April 26, 1932 - February 5, 2025

Charles “Charlie” Otis Brown, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. “Poppy”, as he was called by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was born on April 26, 1932 to Roy and Estella Brown in Kannapolis, NC.

He attended JW Cannon High School, where he met the love of his life, Janet Edwards Brown. They had their first date at the YMCA in the “Teen Canteen” where they shagged the night away to music playing from a record player. He then entered the Navy and as a Boatswain’s Mate, was stationed in San Diego, California on the USS Chanticleer, which was a submarine rescue ship. While on a three week leave, he hitchhiked across the county back to North Carolina to see his sweetheart. It took him three days. The first night they reunited, they decided to marry. Five days later, on August 14, 1953, in the living room of the parsonage where Janet lived with her family, they were married by Janet’s daddy, a pastor.

Upon leaving the Navy they moved to Charlotte where he became a Pipefitter Apprentice and ultimately became a Project Manger/Estimator for a Large Mechanical firm. for many years. In 1981, he and his son, Charlie, co-founded Precision Plumbing, which is still one of the largest, commercial plumbing companies in North Carolina.

When Charlie wasn’t working, he loved golfing and oil painting. He was also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, dove hunting and skeet shooting. 

However, his greatest joy was spending time with his beloved Janet, their children, six grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was blessed to have the majority of their family live close by. When they were able in the summer, they took their grandchildren on trips, camping and traveling all over the country and overseas. 

Charlie loved the Lord and was a past member of Chantilly Baptist Church and Lakeview Baptist Church and recently, Provision Church. He formerly served as a Deacon and while they were in their 70’s they formed and ran a College Ministry for almost 10 years at Lakeview. There were as many as 100 students in their ministry and weekly they would post a sign up to host eight students for lunch at their home every Sunday. More recently, his own great grandchildren loved to enter their home and ask, “Can I have a gummy, Poppy?” - which he was more than happy to oblige. He never said no. 

Poppy is survived by his wife of 71 years, Janet Edwards Brown, their son, Charles Brown (Mary), daughter, Leslie Hodge (Tom), six grandchildren and their spouses and 17 great-grandchildren. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, February 8th at 11:00 am at Provision Church, 3020 New Salem Road, Monroe, NC. The family will be available to informally receive friends starting at 10:00 am in the church lobby. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, Baptist Children’s Home of North Carolina or Provision Church designated to the College Ministry.