Robert Earl Brown, Sr.

Robert Earl Brown, Sr., 87, of Spartanburg, died Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Spartanburg Medical Center. A native of Spartanburg, he was born on October 13, 1936, a son of Ellis Edward and Jeanette Crocker Brown. 

He was the owner of Robert E. Brown Grading and Landscaping, Inc., and was fire chief of Glendale Fire Department from 1976 to 2017. The fire department was established in 1958 and he joined in 1959. He and his wife donated the land for Glendale Fire Department substation on Bethesda Road and all Three sons and grandsons followed him in the fire service.  He gave freely of his time and assets to the community. He was inducted into the Spartanburg County Fire Chiefs Hall of Fame in 2000. He received a resolution from the SC House of Representatives honoring him for his service and dedication to the Glendale Fire Department and community. A 1956 graduate of Pacolet High School he served in the SC National Guard for eight years. He was an avid hunter and donated game to the Hunters for the Hungry. He was a member of Eastside Baptist Church where he had served as a deacon.

Surviving is his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth Ann Bailey Brown; sons, Richard Ellis Brown, Robert E. Brown, Jr. (Teresa) and Larry W. Brown (Sharon); grandchildren, Jacob Brown, Matthew Brown, Cody Brown, Megan B. Grigg (Brandon), Alysia Breitenbach (Andrew), Robert E. (Trey) Brown III (Shelly); great grandchildren, Morgan B. Sanford (Caleb), Richard Jacob Brown, Jr., Cameron Grigg, Bailey Grigg, Hudson Grigg, Micah Breitenbach, McKenna Breitenbach, Mason Breitenbach, Mabrey Breitenbach, Alayna Brown and Abbigail Brown; sisters,  Mary Elizabeth Mullinax, Martha Simmons, Wanda Hawkins; brother, Jimmy Brown. He was predeceased by his siblings, Edward Ellis Brown, Louise B. Fleming and a daughter-in-law, Miranda S. Brown.

Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 pm Sunday, January 21, 2024, at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm Monday, January 22, 2024, at Eastside Baptist Church, 1850 Fernwood Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307 conducted by the Rev. Daniel Kuhr and the Rev. Michael Royal. Burial with Fireman Honors will be at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Eastside Baptist Church Youth Ministry.

An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel