Horace Alexander Brown Jr.

Horace Alexander Brown, Jr. age 75, was born on May 22, 1944 in Morganton, NC. He was the third of six children born to Horace Alexander Brown, Sr. and Marjorie Matthews Brown. He was married for 50 years to Carol Ann Perrou Brown of Valdese. They resided for 40 years in Valdese, NC and 10 years in Granite Falls, NC. Horace graduated from Morganton High School in the class of 1962 where he was active in chorus, library club and a member of the track team. He attended Appalachian State Teacher's College graduating in 1966 with a BS in Education. While attending ASU he participated in Playcrafters, ran track and served as a junior marshal at graduation. He later received his Master's Degree in Educational Technology in 1982 from NC ATT University. He began his 41 year teaching career in the North Carolina Public School System at the Old Rock School as a sixth grade teacher under the supervision of Mr. Glenn Yoder and ended his career as a math teacher at East Burke High School in 2006 under the supervision of a former student of his, Rexanna Pennell Lowman. He was a coach at Valdese Junior High and East Burke High School and interim teacher at Draughn High School. From 1997 unitl 2002 he served as a teacher and principal at The Engelmann School of Arts and Sciences which was a K-8 Public Charter School. During his teaching tenure he was a member of both the NCEA and CTA and NCHSCA. Horace enjoyed music and was a member of church music beginning at a very early age. He began singing with the adult choir of Friendship Baptist Church in Morganton as a teenager and was directing the choir by age 20. After his marriage to Carol and moving to Valdese, he became active in the church choir at Valdese First Baptist Church from 1969-1979; the Waldensian Presbyterian Chancel Choir from 1979-2005, and Faith Community Church from 2005-present. In 2003 he became a member of the Hickory Choral Society and last sang at their recent outdoor concert on May 19, 2019. Living in Valdese from 1969 until 2008, Horace was active in the community civic organizations. He was a member of the Valdese Jaycees from 1969-1972, a member of the Valdese Lions Club from 1968-1981 serving as president in 1973-74 and a member of the Valdese Music Club. He was also a member of the Old Colony Players and a member of the original cast of "From This Day Forward" for 11 years. Horace is survived by his wife, Carol Ann Perrou Brown; a son Michael (wife Michelle Lockee Brown) of Boone; and a stepson Stephen Christopher Harris. His four grandsons are, Dylan Pride Harris (wife Alexandra Stivers Harris) of Boone; and Chase Alexander, Stephen Bennett & Elijah Michael Brown of Boone. Surviving siblings are one sister and three brothers, Carolyn Marie Powell and husband Wendell of Drexel, Johnny Mack Brown and wife Pat of Granite Falls, Gary Keith Brown and wife Carolyn of Morganton and Tom Ray Brown of Charlotte. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins too many to list but all of whom he loved. He was preceded in death by his brother Harvey Dennis (Duece) Brown of Morganton and a beloved daughter-in-law Terry Pride. A Private Burial Service for family members only will be held at the Waldensian Presbyterian Church Cemetery. A Service of Remembrance and Celebration of Horace's life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday June 22, 2019 at Faith Community Church in Connelly Springs, NC. The family will greet friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith Community Church designation the Building Fund or Playground Fund to P.O. Box 957 Valdese, NC 28690.