James Charles Brown

He was born and raised in Elberton, Georgia, the son of the late Clois Clifton Brown and Nellie Grace Charles. He attended North Georgia College and was a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from The University of Georgia. He started his business career as a chemist in New York with Coca-Cola and then later joined AT&T. He returned to Athens in 1958 and started his own company with his brother Clois where they helped many families secure their financial futures. This business thrived and employed many for the next 50 years. During that time he achieved his CLU and CHFC. He was a member of the Million Dollar Round Table, achieving Top of the Table and a Hall of Fame Member with AXA-Equitable.

He was awarded the lifetime achievement award for founding The Ark. He was a devoted fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, member of the Athens Touchdown Club and a season ticketholder for over 50 years. He was also a member of the Athens Country Club and a long-time member of Central Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, Chairman of the Finance Committee as well as a Trustee. Helping others ran a close second only to his love of family and Church. He was a Boy Scout and he served as a leader in many of the following organizations. He was past president of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, Kappa Alpha Order and as Advisor to the Fraternity, Jaycee’s, and Kiwanis. He served on the Board of Directors of the Athens Salvation Army and Southern Mutual Insurance Company. He loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing and particularly his houseboat and cabin on Lake Hartwell. This is where he taught so many family and friends how to waterski.

He is survived by his brother, Clois Clifton, his wife, Barbara Lindsey; daughter, Nancy Chenault, and her son, Charles Jackson Maddox (CJ), his wife, Alicia Whitfield, of Athens; son, Clois Julian, his wife, Anne Troutman, and their son, Christian Alexander, of Atlanta; son, James Charles, Jr. (Pete), and his children, James Charles III (Chase), Mary Margaret McKay, and Jeanette Parker; daughter, Laura Kay, of Jacksonville, Fla.; daughter-in-law, Pamela Jo Sconyers, her daughter, Jessi Cinque-Brown Herr, her husband, Joshua David, children, Jasper Malachi and Josephine Hailey of Asheville, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is preceded by his beloved wife of 58 years Charlotte Hailey, of Athens, GA, his son, Lamar Hailey, of Ashland City, Tenn.; and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Ann Broadnax Brown (E.A), of Athens. The family also wants to thank Lillian Williams for her care of Charlotte and Jim.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 11th, at Central Presbyterian Church, 380 Alps Rd.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The ARK via the website at athensark.org or mail located at 640 Barber St., Athens, GA 30601, Central Presbyterian Church or to the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com.

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service has charge of arrangements.