Robert Earl Brown

Robert Earl Brown, 87, Maryville, passed away on March 14, 2024 at The Life Care Center of Blount County.  He was born on April 21, 1936, to Robert Houston and Etta Mae Brown in Blount County.  He was a member of Broadway Baptist Church.  He graduated from Everett High School in 1955.  Immediately after high school he enlisted in the Air Force.  He was a Vietnam veteran and retired from service in 1975 after 20 years.  He continued to work in the area until he finally retired for good in 1998.  He met his wife, Helen through a blind date arranged by his step-mother who worked with Helen at Blount Memorial Hospital.   He proposed in a letter asking if she thought she could be a military wife.  Helen received her engagement ring in the mail and they married on July 10, 1959.   Within six months of getting married he was shipped out to England leaving his new wife to follow at a later date.   In July 1960 their only child Rhonda was born at the RAF Mildenhall hospital in Suffolk, England.  He loved vacationing with his family, especially to Daytona Beach, and going to UT bowl games.  He is survived by: Daughter, Rhonda Fischer of Knoxville; Special Niece, Eva Anderson; and several nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by: Wife of 52 years Helen (Henry) Brown; grandson, Matthew Brewer; Brother, William “Buddy” Brown; Sisters, Maybelle Brown, Georgia Cook, Kate Hicks Miller, Flora Rowland and Barbara White; Special thanks to the Life Care Center and Blount Memorial Hospice for his care.  Family and friends will assemble for graveside service and interment at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at the Grandview Cemetery pavilion with Rev. Tony Collins officiating.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Broadway Baptist Church, 2329 E Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN 37804 or to the charity of your choice.  Condolences may be shared through Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com