BROWN, W. H., 31 Jul 1873 - 18 Aug 1918. "Father" (mar. to Alice K. Morrow)
W. H. Brown was born on July 31, 1873; was married on December 2, 1891, to Miss Emily Alice Kimbrough; obeyed the gospel in 1901, being baptized by Brother M. H. Northcross, and died on August 18, 1918, aged forty-five years and eighteen days. On the morning of August 18 Brother Coffman, of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., began a meeting with the congregation worshiping at Big Creek, in Giles County, Tenn. At the conclusion of the morning services Brother Brown, who was one of the elders, a man in robust health and the very prime of his activities, arose and began speaking to the congregation with regard to their having fellowship with other congregations of the county in sending and supporting a preacher to work among the boys in one of the military camps of our country. A heavy rain was falling at the time, and while he was speaking a bolt of lightning struck the building and seemingly descended a metal rod suspended from the ceiling and struck Brother Brown, killing him instantly. Thus he fell at the post of duty, surrounded by his family and friends who loved him so well and had the utmost confidence in him. The scene in the church building at that time cannot be described by eyewitnesses. Parts of the interior of the building were torn off and scattered over the terror-stricken audience. Several persons were more or less shocked and Brother Brown killed outright. The writer was called to attend the funeral, but was in a meeting in Alabama at that time and could not go. Brother Coffman conducted the funeral in the presence of a very large throng of sorrowing relatives and friends, after which he was buried in Lynnwood Cemetery at Lynnville. An aged father and mother, a faithful wife, two sons and four grandchildren are left to mourn their loss. May the Lord comfort them. --- J. T. Clark. Gospel Advocate, October 17, 1918, page 1000.
Ref: e-mail sent to Mary Bob by Tom Childers tlchilders@gmail.com sent to WA & posted 26 Jul 2010.
