Grady Ward Brown

February 20, 1939 - June 14, 2026

Grady Ward Brown of Emerald Isle, North Carolina, passed away June 14, 2026, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Born February 20, 1939, in Chapel Hill to the late Charlie “C.R.” Robert Brown and Lula Janeverette Ward Brown, Grady was proud to say he grew up on a one-mule farm in Chatham County, North Carolina. He graduated from Cary High School, where he helped lead the Cary Imps to the state football championship in 1955. A gifted athlete, Grady also played football for N.C. State University but spent the rest of his life pulling for Carolina and his beloved Tar Heels.

Grady graduated in 1962 as an Industrial Engineer Machinist from the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company Apprentice School in Newport News, Virginia. From shipbuilding to General Electric, Grady built a successful career in manufacturing, rising to leadership roles where his operational expertise and problem-solving ability — rooted in his childhood on the farm — made him a respected industry executive. Grady’s distinguished career took the family to Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Indiana, and finally to California, where he retired in 1999 as Senior Vice President of Mattel Toys America/Europe Operations.

Grady married the love of his life, Bettydeen Pence Brown, in 1961 at the Chapel of the Centurion in Hampton, Virginia. Betty and Grady’s marriage spanned more than six decades, reflecting their enduring love, deep faith, steadfast devotion, and mutual respect. Betty often called Grady her “Superman.” They would have celebrated their 65th anniversary on June 18.

A devoted member of Emerald Isle Baptist Church, Grady served on the Ministry Council, including several terms as chairman, and taught Sunday School and men’s Bible study. He was an early supporter of the International Center for Women’s Ministries and served as a Board Director for 20 years, helping guide the organization from a single center in 1990 to a global network of volunteer-led ministries, including several centers established by Betty. Grady’s heart for mission work took him to Russia twice to build churches and to Alabama to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.

Grady loved dogs and horses and founded Shiloh Kennels to raise and train Brittany spaniels. The family traveled together to dog shows and field trials, making lasting memories along the way. Grady’s pride and joy was dual champion Bandees El Kanah of Shiloh “Bandit,” named Dual Dog of the Year from 1976 through 1978. Grady became an avid golfer, traveling across the country and internationally with son Ward to check off courses on his bucket list. Known to climb on the roof to replace shingles well into his 70s, Grady could fix most anything and spent hours working on vintage cars in his garage. He had a passion for Corvettes and owned several throughout his life, all red. He enjoyed singing hymns in his resonant tenor, and his legendary sweet tooth was matched only by his generous spirit.

Grady leaves a legacy of love, faith, hard work, and quiet strength to be cherished by his surviving family, including his devoted wife, Betty, and their beloved children Scott (Annie) Brown of Morehead City; Charlie (Emily Ford) Brown of Salisbury; Ward (Amanda Denton) Brown of Bloomington, Indiana; Jonathan Brown of Portland, Oregon; grandchildren Henry Brown, Mason Brown, Allie Brown, Jill Dees, Eleanor Brown, Clara Brown, Lilly Brown, Diego Brown, and Lula Brown; sister Wyvette Brown Spencer of Cary; sister-in-law Jane Linkous Pence of Chesapeake, Virginia; sister-in-law Jane A. Brown of Mobile, Alabama; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Grady was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jimmie “J.C.” Charles Brown, grandson Tyler Dees, and brother-in-law Edward “Chip” Wesley Pence, Jr.

A Celebration of Life will take place Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Emerald Isle Baptist Church. The family encourages guests to remember Grady by wearing UNC gear or one of his favorite colors, Corvette red or Carolina blue. The family will receive friends at the church after the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations in Grady’s memory to Emerald Isle Baptist Church (304 Plantation Road, Emerald Isle, NC 28594) or the Center for Women’s Ministries Headquarters (https://cwmhope.org/give or P.O. Box 817 Bloomington, IN 47402).