Charles L Brown

Charles L. Brown February 26, 1926 - January 7, 2021 Charles L. Brown was born on February 26, 1926, the first of two children, to the union of Charles L. Brown Sr. and Margaret Wilson. He ascended into paradise on January 7, 2021. Charles was educated at Douglas High School in Baltimore City. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on May 19, 1944 as a Munitions worker. He later served in the Asiatic Pacific Area from November 5, 1944 to June 25, 1946 as a Munitions worker to aid in World War II. He was honorably discharged on July 10, 1946. Charles was an original Montford Point Marine, the first Black Marines to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. He trained at Montford Point, N.C. The Montford Point Marines were pioneers. They ended the United States of America military policy of racial segregation. On June 28, 2012, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his service as a Montford Point Marine, the highest civilian award granted by Congress. He drove a bus on a single job for 40 straight years for Hutzler’s Brothers Company, one of the largest department stores in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. He loved helping neighbors, listening to jazz music, and reading the Baltimore Sun paper. Also, he enjoyed frying chicken and eating pastries prepared by his illustrious wife, Dot Brown. He was a serious Baltimore Orioles fan and enjoyed watching and attending the games at Memorial Stadium on 33rd Street as well. Charles married Dorothy Brockington, known as “Dot”, on May 21, 1962. She could really cook and bake. They shared many years of matrimonial bliss. From their union, two children were born, Christel-Lynn Brown and Charles L. Brown Jr., “Chucky”, also known as Shareef Rahman. Charles shared responsibility for his two stepdaughters, Charlotte Bowens-Glascoe and Montress Spruell, from Dorothy’s previous marriage. Prior to his marriage to Dorothy, Charles had a beautiful daughter. Her name is Toyia Brown and she looks just like him. Charles was a devoted brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather that always put family first. Passing before Charles were his parents, Charles Brown Sr. and Margaret Wilson, his sister, Geraldine Pugh, his wife, Dorothy Brown, his sister-in-law, Viola “Vi” Camphor-Dotson, and his stepdaughter, Charlotte Bowens-Glascoe. Those left to cherish his memory: Stepdaughter, Montress Spruell (Ellis), Daughters, Christel Lynn Brown-Barnes, and Toyia Brown, Son Shareef Rahman (Christine), Grandchildren, Kimberly Byars, Jordan Glascoe, Corey Wells, Damon Spruell, Emanuel “Ki” Barnes, and Charles Brown-EL (Latiya), Rasheed Rahman, and Safiyah Rahman, Great-grandchildren, Ryan Byars, Zhaavier Brown-EL, Naasira Brown-EL, Tanay Brown-EL, Na-ilah Brown-EL, Sa’Rai Brown-EL, Micah Brown-EL, Issa Brown-EL, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends