Cecil Rigby Brown, Sr.

Cecil Rigby Brown, Sr., husband of Barbara Edge Brown, passed away on October 2, 2026. He was born on September 3, 1932, a son of the late Clarice Melissa Smith Brown and Roy Wilkins Brown, Sr.

Cecil graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1951, Clemson University with a B.S. degree in 1955, and did postgraduate work at the University of South Carolina and Florida State University.

He served in the U.S. Navy and was a former English teacher and Assistant Principal of Jenkins Junior High School. He was the First Coordinator of the Diploma Program of Adult Education for the Spartanburg City Schools (District 7), and he served as Headmaster of The Glendale Academy from 1970-1974. Cecil retired from the Spartanburg County Public Library after 20 years of service.

Cecil was a member and past President of the Executive Sertoma Club. He was a devoted member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent since 1962, twice serving on the Vestry and serving on the Church’s Kindergarten Board.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara Edge Brown; and his two sons and daughters-in-law, Cecil Rigby Brown, Jr. and Lisa Lawrence Brown, and John William Brown and Nicole Fréderic Brown and their daughters Lindsay Kate Brown and Blair Anne Brown, all of Spartanburg.

Also surviving are two nieces, Linda Brawley Simpson and Kay Brown Jones; and five nephews, Roy Wilkins Brown III, Robert William Brown, Thomas Gary Brown, Cameron Glenn Brown, and Roderick Smith Brown.

He was predeceased by two sisters, Catherine Brown Abrams and Esther Brown Brawley; and two brothers, Roy Wilkins Brown, Jr. and William Smith Brown.

His happiest times were spent with his family, especially around the Sunday night dinner table. His family holds many memories of trips to the beach and Lake Lure, where the family enjoyed boat rides and sitting on top of the boathouse at sunset. His greatest joy was being Papa to his granddaughters, Kate and Blair, whom he adored.

Funeral services will be 12:00 PM on Thursday, October 8, 2026 in The Episcopal Church of the Advent, with a reception following in the Parish Life Center. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens at 2:00 PM.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Melvin D. Medlock and Mr. Emil E. Spieth.

Memorials may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Advent, 141 Advent St, Spartanburg, SC 29302.