Obituary – Charles Edward Brown
Saturday, November 4, 2023

Charles Edward “Charlie” Brown, age 72, passed away from an extended illness in Greenville, KY on November 1, 2023. A native of Smithville, TN, Charlie was born on November 3, 1950, in Lebanon, TN.
A natural showman, Charlie sang for and entertained family and friends from an early age which would continue throughout his life. He was always humming a tune, drumming the dashboard, or captivating the crowd with a story. Through encouragement from his uncle, LM Murphy, Charlie discovered his passion for showing horses, and upon graduating from DeKalb County High School in 1968, that passion became a lifetime calling that would lead him to stables in Arkansas and Alabama before he ultimately settled in Kentucky. After a career spanning over 50 years, where he earned countless blue ribbons and top honors from industry organizations, Charlie became a well-respected show judge due to his exceptional skills as a horse trainer. Described as an icon in the horse industry, his legacy will live on through the many riders and fellow trainers he mentored.
Charlie is survived by his uncle, L.M. Murphy of Mt Juliet, TN and Jerry Brown of Smithville, TN; stepmother, Jeanette Brown of The Woodlands, TX; brother, Jeff Brown of Gainesville, GA; stepsister, Marcy York-Oznick of The Woodlands, TX; son, Bryon Brown of Atlanta, GA; daughter, Brandy Mathis (Patrick) of Greenville; sons, Shane Johnson of Boaz, AL and Cory Garrard (Kenna) of Lawton, OK; grandchildren, Dakota Bowlds (Paige), Kaelin McElvain (Christian Daugherty), Hunter Mathis, Kaedence Garrard, Kennady Garrard, Chandler Johnson (Damon Strawn), Conlee Johnson and Henlee Johnson; great-grandsons, Joseph, Greyson, and Jaxon.
Charlie was predeceased by his parents, Floyd Leon Brown, Jr. and Jean Murphy Brown of Smithville, TN; brother David Brown; stepsister Missy Klimas.
A visitation will be held on Monday, November 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tucker Funeral Home, Central City. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. with Bro. Cory Garrard officiating. Burial at Nebo Cemetery, immediately following the service.
Expressions of Sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Charles “Charlie” Edward Brown Memorial Fund, c/o Tucker Funeral Home, PO Box 548, Central City, KY 42330.
Tucker Funeral Home, Central City is in charge of the arrangements.
More Stories |
-
Judy Keeton Pierce, age 83, of Shelbyville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026.Judy was born to Robbie McGregor Keeton and was lovingly adopted and raised by Lawrence Keeton, who she knew as her father. She was known for her strength, her vibrant personality, and her deep love for family and friends. Though small in stature, she was truly a “dynamite in a small package.”
Read More
-
The FAST Spring Showcase is happy to announce that Jeanette Baucom, Keegan Arrington-Meadows and Link Webb will mark the cards for this year’s show.
Read More
-
The online entry system is set up and ready to go for the upcoming WHTA National Trainers' Show.This year, along with The Celebration, we will be utilizing the Horse Spot online entry system.
Read More
-
Billy Roy Murray, of Shelbyville, passed away on Thursday, February 26th, 2026 at his home, at the age of 83. Billy was born in Tullahoma to the late William Murray and Mary Petty Roll. He served his country proudly in the United States Navy, and went on to work as an Electronics Technician at Bell South which later became ATT.
Read More
-
Read More
-
Most everyone reading this has never heard the name Robert Carter; however, if you’ve been a subscriber or reader of Walking Horse Report you have seen and appreciated his work for some 48 years. Having retired from the Dabora, Inc. family late last year, Carter began with the Report in 1980.
Read More
-
The Christmas in July Horse Show is scheduled for July 1–2, 2026, and will be held at the Bedford County Ag Center in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Show management has selected Chad Adams, Derek Bonner, and Ryne Parker to serve as the judging panel for the two-night event.
Read More
-
The Southern Belle, scheduled for April 2–4 in Cleveland, Tennessee, has announced its judging panel for the 2026 event. Jason Bachert, Brad Gregory, and Justin Miller will mark the cards for the three-day show.
Read More
-
Read More
-
The National Trainers’ Show is proud to announce that Amber Zahnd, Ryne Parker and Johnny Puckett will mark the cards for this years’ event. The 58th Annual National Trainers’ Show, hosted by the Walking Horse Trainers’ Association, will be held March 26-28, 2026, in Cooper Steel Arena in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
Read More
|