James Larry (Joe) Brown, Sr.

Mr. Brown was born in Buncombe County and was one of six children of Wilburn L. and Bertie Duckett Brown.  He was a lifelong farmer and was also retired after 35 years as a letter carrier with the US Postal Service.  He was a member of the Democratic Mens Club and of Leicester United Methodist Church.

He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and is survived by his wife of 48 years, Louise Long Brown;  a son, James Larry Brown, Jr. and his friend Kay Taylor of Asheville;  a sister, Maethorne Brown Tucker of Asheville;  three grandchildren, Rachel Brown Hensley and her husband Billy, and Joshua and Jeremy Brown;  two great-grandchildren, William and Jacob Hensley, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm Sunday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Dick Patzfahl officiating.  Burial will be at Grace United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Billy Hensley, Bruce Snelson, Jerry Mears, Dan Sluder, Tim McElreath, George Odom, and Milam Wall.   Honorary pallbearers will be Gay Snelson and Earl Junior McElreath.

His family will receive friends from 7 - 8:30 pm Saturday at the funeral home and request that memorials be made to the American Diabetes Assn., 3109 Poplarwood Court, Suite 125, Raleigh, NC 27604-1043.