The Rev. Charles Edward Brown, 49, was born on Sept. 3, 1965, in Ripley, Tenn., to the late Katie Stone and he was the grandson of the late Sam and Willie Brown.

Charles was a 1983 graduate of Ripley High School. He retired from the U.S. Navy as a PO3.

He was a devoted member of Oak Grove Baptist Church. He was licensed to preach in 1990 and ordained on July 30, 2011.

Sadly, on Saturday, May 9, 2015, Charles transitioned to his heavenly home, leaving behind to cherish his beautiful memory, his devoted wife, Charlene A. Brown; two sons, Stephen and Elijah Brown; two sisters, Beverly Stone-Mack and Lolita Stone-Bowman; two brothers, Elmer and Brian Stone; two aunts, Ida Haliburton (William) and Alice Scott; mother-in-law, Gracie Bunch; three brothers-in-law; one sister-in-law; and many other family and friends.

Visitation will take place from noon to 7 p.m., and the family will assemble to greet guests at 6 p.m. at the funeral home on Thursday. A celebration of life service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at Oak Grove Baptist Church. He will be laid to rest at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy and flowers may be extended to the Brown family at www.cookeovertonfuneralhome.com.

Professional services are entrusted to T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home Inc.