B.L. Brown, 96, went home to be with his heavenly Father on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, in Conway. He was a beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather that was born in Floral on April 27, 1924, to the late Bird and Clara Ward Brown.
B.L. lived all of his childhood in Floral where his parents operated the local grocery. During WWII, he joined the Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge being one of the soldiers that landed on Omaha Beach. He followed Patton through the Ardennes Forest in France and for his injuries and service received the Purple Heart and Four Bronze Service Stars.
Immediately after WWII, he married the love of his life, Buena Schmidt Brown. Together B.L. and Buena took over the ownership of Brown’s Grocery in Floral from his parents. They operated it until their retirement. Being a hardworking businessman, B.L. was the postmaster at Floral for 34 years. He also was proud to be a 32nd Degree Mason.
Upon retirement, B.L. and Buena loved to camp and travel with family and friends. They especially enjoyed Bluegrass Festivals and spending the winters in Brownsville, Texas. B.L. adored his grandchildren and often took them on camping trips with them.
When health issues became a problem and his wife of almost 70 years had passed away, B.L. moved closer to family in Conway where he lived for almost three years.
B.L. was a Christian and a longtime member of Floral Baptist Church. Upon moving to Conway, he joined Wooster First Baptist Church where he was the oldest member.
B.L. is survived by his two sons: Daryl (Becky) Brown of Floral and Denny (Diane) Brown of Wooster; four grandchildren, Brent (Carrie) Brown of Wooster, Kent (Mitzi) of Conway, Elaine (Michael) Lambert of Conway, and Jeremy Robinson of Olathe, Kansas; four great-granddaughters, Callen and Chandler Brown of Wooster and Kate Lambert of Conway, Jesse (Mitch) Berney of Indianapolis, IN.; three great-great-grandsons, Emerson Cooper, Paxton and Oliver Berney; one brother-in-law, James (Carol) Schmidt of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and all of his siblings: Waymond Brown, Oleta (Brownie) Guthrie, Victoria (Lynn) Lanier, Lynn Brown, Rilla (Fred) Powell, and a baby sister, Mildred.
Funeral service will be held at Floral Baptist Church in Floral on Saturday, September 19, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. with Bro. Keith Hicks and Bro. Mike Fowler officiating. Family visitation will be one hour prior. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be Charles Smith, Wayne Gay, Tom Gay, Cam Gay, Phillip Gay, and Chris Tharp.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Brent Brown, Kent Brown, Jeremy Robinson, Michael Lambert, Mike Guthrie, and Rodney Guthrie.
Remembrances may be made to the building fund of Wooster First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 218, Wooster AR 72181 or the Floral Baptist Church Children’s Playground Fund at P.O. 96, Floral, AR 72534.
We are complying with the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines and limiting indoor funeral and visitation attendance at this time. All attendees must provide and wear their own masks before entering and social distancing will be observed.
