William Harold Brown

            William Harold Brown, Commerce, Georgia, age 103, passed peacefully at his home on August 6, 2015.

            Mr. Brown was born in Banks County, Georgia on February 2, 1912 to the late, Claude Asbury and Nina Lord Brown.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Mary Prickett Brown, ten brothers and two sisters and was the last living sibling of the Claude A. Brown family.

            He was a man of deep and abiding faith, accepting the Lord as his Savior at the age of 13 at Beaverdam Baptist Church.  He served as church clerk, song leader, deacon, and Sunday School teacher at Beaverdam until he and Mary transferred their membership to Mt. Olive Baptist Church in 1970 where he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and choir member. 

            Over the course of his life he was an avid farmer, worked for the Federal government measuring cotton acreage, worked with the Commerce Poultry Plant, and was employed with Roper Pump Company until his retirement in 1977.  Afterwards, he kept busy with carpentry work until age 85.

            He was a Mason in Hudson Lodge 294 joining in 1947 and was also a member of the Eastern Star.  His community service included Trustee for the Banks County School System (Davis Academy) during 1940’s and 1950’s and was president of the local PTA in the 1950’s.  He served two terms as a Banks County Commissioner giving inspiration to many through his high ideals, morals, and deep concern for his fellow citizens.

            Mr. Brown is survived by his daughters and son-in-law, Martha Jo and Gene Carlan of Commerce, and Sharon Hardy and the late, Jerry Hardy of Commerce; grandchildren, Greg Carlan of Commerce, Shawn Carlan Hackney (Jeff) of Washington, GA, Rodney Hardy (Lynn) of Clemmons, NC and Kevin Hardy (Wendy) of Commerce; great grandchildren, Courtney Carlan Murphy (Gary) of Carnesville, Cayla Carlan of Crestview, FL, Adam Hackney, Alex Hackney, and Austin Hackney of Washington, GA, Jason Hardy of Clemmons, NC Jennifer Hardy Harris (Cameron) of Clemmons, NC, Mara Hardy Mitchell (Caleb) of Fayetteville, NC, Perry Hardy and Liam Hardy of Commerce; great great grandchildren Aubrey Carlan of Commerce, Cambria Coley of Crestview, FL and Trey Murphy of Carnesville; and one sister-in-law, Nan Brown of Commerce.  Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

            Funeral service will be held Sunday, August 9, at 3:00 PM at Mt. Olive Baptist Church with Rev. Verlin Reece, Rev. David Harbin, Rev. Gene Carlan, and Rev. Blake Carter officiating with the interment following at Jackson Memorial Gardens.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 3-6 PM.

            Flowers are optional or contributions to the charity of one’s choice.

            Little-Ward Funeral Home Commerce is in charge of arrangements.