Elbert Stegall Brown

Mills River – Elbert S. Brown died peacefully on October 26, 2008 at the wonderful age of 88, surrounded by his wife and children. Ebby, son of May Stegall and Alanson Charles Brown, was born in St. Louis, MO on August 11, 1920. He attended Washington & Lee University and Washington University after graduating from St. Louis Country Day School. Ebby was a Major in the Marine Air Corps and flew transports in the Pacific during WWII. Ebby and his family settled in Sarasota, FL in 1951 to begin his career in real estate and as one of the founders of National Car Rental. He moved to Asheville in the early 1970's and founded the Asheville Racquet Club with his son, Buster Brown. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Betsy Brown; his siblings, Ace Brown, Sis Bakewell and Teenie McKellip and a grandson, Gray Horton. He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 65 years, Dorothy Jane Schlafly (D.J.); his children, Jane and Kerney McNeil, Barbie and Al Horton, Karen and Buster Brown, Betsy and Jimmy Brown and Alanson Brown; grandchildren, Peggy Horner, Brigid Downs, Alanson Boden, D.J. Woodward, Christina Cottingham, Andrea Brown, Ashley Brown, and Tyler, Ross and Alex Brown and great-grandchildren, Charlie and Paige Horner, Mary Mac, Braxton and William Downs, Chas and Lila Gray Boden, Doe, Jack and Mae Woodward. A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 30th at St. Barnabas Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent De Paul Society, c/o St. Barnabas Catholic Church, 109 Crescent Hill Drive, Arden, NC 28704 (828) 684-6098.