Ray Brown

Ray Brown, age 88 of Jefferson, passed away on Friday, August 22, 2025 at Ashe Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Brown was born on September 8, 1936, to the late Major Armfield and Martha Louise Baugess Brown. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Fred Brown, Mable Covington, Ottie Blevins, Marie Edwards, and Lounell Hubble, as well as his beloved wife, Ida Belle McNeill Brown.

Ray was a faithful servant of the Lord. He attended both Bristol Baptist Church and Fletcher Memorial Baptist Church, where he especially enjoyed singing in the choir. He loved traveling to other churches to sing, listening to gospel music, and reading his Bible every day. He never met a stranger and was known for his warm, friendly spirit and love of visiting and talking with people.

He worked for 41 years at Ashe Memorial Hospital, where he faithfully served until his retirement.

Ray is survived by his daughter, Jill Poteat and husband Johnny of West Jefferson, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Ashelawn Memorial Chapel with Rev. Joey McClure and Rev. Lloyd Day officiating. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service at Ashelawn.

The family kindly requests no food, please. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Generations Ashe Assisted Living Memory Care, 182 Chattyrob Lane, West Jefferson, NC 28694.

Ray will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his love of music, and his kind and welcoming spirit. His legacy of service, friendship, and devotion to God and family will live on in the lives of all who knew and loved him.