Ralph Overton Brown, 89, passed away peacefully with his children by his side on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Piedmont Crossing Health Center in Thomasville, North Carolina.
Born on June 9, 1935, in the Bensalem Township of Moore County, North Carolina, Ralph was a son of the late June Lewis Brown and Mary Margaret Dunlap Brown, and was the youngest of their six children.
After graduating from West End High School in 1953, he relocated to Lucia, near Charlotte, where he began working as a pressman in the printing and graphics industry. He then served from 1958-1960 in the United States Army as a Military Policeman in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After his service, he returned to Charlotte, where he met Mary Ellen Hammett. The two married in 1961 and made their home in Thomasville, North Carolina, where they built a life together until her passing in 2008. In 1964, he co-founded Printing Equipment Inc. in Charlotte, serving as its president for over four decades until his retirement. He was a Master Mason and an active member of both the Thomasville Buck Club and Colonial Country Club.
As a lifelong music lover, he especially enjoyed country and bluegrass. He was musically inclined and played several instruments by ear including the guitar, fiddle, autoharp, pedal steel, dobro, and mandolin. Whenever possible, he attended the annual Old Fiddlers’ Convention in Galax, Virginia.
He enjoyed the outdoors and had numerous hobbies and interests. Hunting, fishing, boating, playing golf, gardening, and riding motorcycles were among his favorite activities. He was an avid gun enthusiast/collector who enjoyed skeet-shooting with friends and family. He was an exceptional billiard player and card shark (especially gin and poker). He was fascinated by vintage tractors, owning several, and frequently attended the annual Denton tractor show.
Ralph was known for his lively personality, love of socializing, and entertaining. His legendary parties included several birthday bashes for Mary as well as many other music-making events attended by friends, former classmates, and family.
Throughout his life, he had many pets, including a wild owl that he tamed in his youth, but none were as special to him as his beloved Pomeranian, Buddy. The two were inseparable and went everywhere together. Buddy could often be seen riding in Ralph’s red convertible or on the back of one of his motorcycles. Ralph and Mary’s vacation home in Moore County was even nick-named “The Buddy House.”
After experiencing several strokes, he became a resident of Piedmont Crossing Health Center where he spent his final years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Mary Hammett Brown; and siblings: Louise Lisk, Floyd Brown, Joyce Wilson, Herman Brown.
Ralph is survived by his two children: Greg Brown and wife Cathe of Alexandria, Virginia, Anita Brown Elks and husband Dempsey of Raleigh, North Carolina; sister: Iris Strother of Carthage, North Carolina; grandchild: Christine Morris and husband Charlie of Alexandria, Virginia; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
To honor Ralph’s request that his services be informal, casual dress is encouraged. A visitation will be held on March 1, 2025, from 1-2:30 pm at Fry & Prickett Funeral Home, 402 Saunders Street in Carthage. A graveside service will follow at Mount Carmel Methodist Church Cemetery in Carthage. A Celebration of Life (in true Ralph fashion) will begin around 4 pm at The Community “Rock” Building, 203 West Barrett Street in Carthage.
The family wishes to especially thank Susie Ransom Goff who lovingly served as his primary caregiver for the last eight years of his life.
Memorial donations may be made to the Moore County Historical Association/Bryant House, PO Box 324, Southern Pines, NC 28388. www.moorehistory.com
Online condolences may be offered at www.PinesFunerals.com.
Services are entrusted to Fry & Prickett Funeral Home of Carthage.
