Charles Edward Brown, 92, of Indianapolis passed away on December 26, 2020 in Marion County. Charles was born in Indianapolis to the late Waldo Scott Brown and Darsey (Axsom) Brown on October 6, 1928 at 1128 Comer Avenue at 11 P.M.

Growing up in the Garfield Park neighborhood, Charlie's life revolved around family, church, and school. The Browns used the renowned Garfield Park as their personal playground and spent countless hours there enjoying the park's many offerings including the famed sunken gardens. Charlie also enjoyed watching baseball games at the park's ball fields on Sunday afternoons with his father which sparked a lifelong love for watching baseball games. At family gatherings, his brothers and sisters loved to recount stories about Charlie's youthful pranks and adventures for everyone's enjoyment. During this time period, Charlie also began his lifelong friendship with Don Marshall.

Charlie and all his siblings attended School 72 as well as Emmerich Manual High School. School provided many fond memories, especially the Christmas program with the annual singing of The Birthday of a King and the solemn student entry into the Memorial Day ceremony guided by the sound of a drum beat.

Golden Rule Christian Church in Marion County, Indiana anchored the Brown Family's faith. Charlie met the love of his life, Lula Mae Lambert, at church. Married at Golden Rule on October 8, 1949, they began a rich 71-year marriage most of which was spent on the Southside of Indianapolis. The two held hands every evening as they prayed together before sharing their meals.

Love of country was important to Charlie and he proudly served in the U.S. Navy during WW II. Prior to leaving for service and following his return, he worked at Motto, Polk and Ballard dairies, as well as Standard Grocery on Madison Avenue. Charlie also worked at the Center Township Assessor's office before his marriage. After his marriage, Charlie completed electronics training in Chicago which led to an over forty-year career with Indiana Bell and AT&T installing and repairing phones throughout Indianapolis. His work travels meant Charlie was always quick to share the best way to drive somewhere because of this knowledge!  He might also tell you how to drive properly if he thought you needed correction - particularly on the subject of yellow lights.

Loyalty to family was deeply embedded in both Charlie and Lula. A look at family photo albums shows Charlie understood the importance of showing up and being there (always on time or early) as he and Lula crossed the country to attend weddings, graduations, funerals, and other life events. Their presence was always a bright spot. Family members knew they could count on always being important enough for Charlie and Lula to make the time and effort to share their life with them even as aging made travel more difficult.

A deep commitment to family was further shown in the care given to Lula's aunt, Lassie Katie Simmons, when she was no longer able to live on her own. Kate moved in with Charlie and Lula until they could no longer care for her in their home, and they continued to support her lovingly until her death.

Investing in others with time and treasure was central to Charlie's life. He helped countless friends and relatives with phone installations, wiring, and any other need along the way. Most of his adult life, Charlie owned a truck and a Cadillac. The Cadillac was used for traveling across the United States and chauffeuring his beloved Lula; the truck was used by Charlie and loaned to many family members for moves and transporting lots of things including children for joy rides and firework viewing in the back of the truck. Additionally, Charlie was a long time member of Indian Creek Christian Church and AT&T Pioneers.

A member of the Greatest Generation, there was a steadiness and determination about Charlie so it is no surprise that his favorite movies were John Wayne westerns.

He will be missed and his memory treasured by his family and friends.

Charlie is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Vera Brown, Evelyn Pauline Malott, Thelma Elmore, Edna Lou Brown, and Patricia Sullivan. He is survived by his wife, Lula; and brothers, Scott, Danny, and George Brown, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation is Saturday, January 9, 2021 starting at 10:30 A.M. at Forest Lawn Funeral Home located at 1977 South State Road 135, Greenwood, IN 46163. The funeral service begins at noon immediately followed by a graveside service at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army via the website: https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/give/164006/#!/donation/checkout or mailing to Salvation Army, 6060 Castleway West Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46208.