Mr. Lytle Brown, 78, died on April 30, 2014 surrounded by his loved ones after a long battle with cancer.
Mr. Brown was born March 10, 1936 in Moss Point, Miss. to the late Lytle and Gwinda Byrd Brown. fter graduation from Moss Point High School, Lytle joined the U.S. Army and served his country for the next 20 years attaining the rank of sergeant major. As a master parachutist, he served in many Airborne units in the United States and overseas, including the 82nd Airborne Division and the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg. While serving in Vietnam, he was awarded two Bronze Stars, an Air Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, a Purple Heart and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge. At his retirement ceremony he received the Legion of Merit Award. While in the service, he earned his bachelor’s and masters of business administration degrees. After his retirement from the Army in 1974, he went to work for R.J. Reynolds beginning in the accounting department and working his way up to group director of international finance. He retired from Reynolds in 1992. During his career with Reynolds, he traveled extensively and lived for a time in London as well as Ecuador. After retiring from Reynolds, Lytle dedicated his life to his family and church. He was a member of Clemmons United Methodist Church where he had five years of formal Bible study and after a year of special training, became a Stephen Minister. He was an active member of the Seekers Sunday School class. One of his greatest pleasures was tending to his home’s landscaping and gardening.
Survivors: his wife, Donna; 3 daughters, Gwenda Clasen (Sam), Kathy Draughn and Patricia McCulloh (Tim); 5 grandchildren, Joe Clasen (Ashley), Darla Draughn Rutherford (Bobby), Beth Clasen, Jodie Draughn, and Haley McCulloh; a great grandchild, Emma Rutherford; 2 step-children, David Dowd and Dawn Dowd Payne; 2 step-grandchildren, Sydney and Taylor Payne; 2 sisters, Louise Brown Lynd of Mesquite, Texas and Faith Brown Crowley of Moss Point; half sister, Judy Brown; 2 step-brothers, Manuel and Wesley Carter; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Lytle was preceded in death by his wife and mother of his children, Elisabeth Menz Brown; wife Joann Grice Brown; daughter Darlene Brown Moser and half sister, Hilda Brown.
A memorial service was held at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 4 at Clemmons United Methodist Church with the Revs. Matthew Burton and Paula Northrup officiating. The family received friends at the church following the service.
Memorials: Clemmons UMC, the Clemmons Food Pantry or a charity of your choice.
Online condolence: www.hayworth-miller.com.