Charles Brown

Charles E. Brown PORTSMOUTH - Coach Charles E. "Shotgun" Brown was born March 19, 1921 and passed away at his home in Cookeville, Tenn., on June 8, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Little Brown. Coach Brown was a native of Portsmouth, where he attended Woodrow Wilson High School and starred in football. He attended Duke University until 1942 when he joined the U.S. Army and served in France during World War II. After the war, he attended East Carolina University and graduated from Memphis State University. He was assistant football coach at Great Bridge High School and Churchland High School. He took over as head football coach at Churchland in 1953. In 1954, he coached the Truckers to a State Group II Football Championship with an undefeated, untied and unscored upon season; a feat unmatched in the history of Virginia sports. He also coached basketball at Churchland and had consistent winning seasons. Coach Brown was the physical education teacher at Mapp Junior High School and Golf Coach at Manor High School in Portsmouth. His teams won the Virginia State Golf Championships in 1980 and 1981. He was named Golf Coach of the Year in 1981. Famous for his aggressive, totally involved style of coaching, he was loved and respected by many generations of athletes in and around Portsmouth. A memorial service will be held at Churchland Baptist Church, 3031 Churchland Blvd. Chesapeake, VA 23321 at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 20. There will be a reception at the church following the services. Donations in the name of Coach Charles E. Brown may be sent to Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, 206 High Street, P.O. Box 370, Portsmouth, VA 23705.