Victor Bernard Brown, fondly known as “Bernie”, was born on May 30, 1955 in Florence County, South Carolina at McLeod Hospital to Sadie Brown Smith and the late Rueben Brown. Bernie was raised in Pamplico, South Carolina by his mother; his beloved maternal grandmother, the late Estelle “Mae” Edwards Gibbs. Additionally, Bernie had a wealth of aunts and uncles who loved and reared him as well.
Throughout Victor’s youth, he was very active at Mt. Zion Chapel Baptist Church in Pamplico, South Carolina serving as an usher board member and was a member of the junior and youth choirs.
Bernie attended the public schools of Florence County School District Two graduated from Hannah-Pamplico High School Class of 1973. While at Hannah-Pamplico High School, Bernie was a proud first chair trumpeter; member of the National Honor Society; and a chorus member. In addition to being an active high schooler, Bernie was also a School Bus Driver.
Victor was a proud 1977 graduate of South Carolina State College. While in college, he majored in industrial engineering and was a member of the Esquire Service Club, Houston Engineers, Student Christian Association, Student Government Association, Mitchell Hall Club, and NAACP. The highlight of Bernie's college experience was meeting his best friend turned wife, Sandra “Gail” Cooper Brown.
On September 3, 1983, Bernie and Gail were married at Twin Lakes in Lake City, South Carolina, and built their life together in Florence, South Carolina. They had two daughters, Victoria and Meredith Brown.
Bernie and his family attended church at Cumberland United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Evangelist Committee Soup Kitchen. Victor was an engineer for the South Carolina Department of Transportation from 1984 until 2006, where he earned a wealth of recognition for his leadership in the field of safety. During Victor’s sixteen years of retirement, he enjoyed grocery shopping, home improvement projects, creating new food recipes and golfing.
Bernie leaves to cherish precious memories: his wife, Sandra Gail Cooper Brown; two daughters: Victoria Brown of Raleigh, NC and Meredith Brown of Columbia, SC; mother: Sadie Brown Smith of Pamplico, SC; one sister-in-law: Carolyn (Leroy) Williams of Kingstree, SC; one brother-in-law: Stanley Cooper of Columbia, SC; one aunt: Helen Munnerlyn of Pamplico, SC; and a host cousins, other relatives and friends.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, family will not receive friends at the home. You may call the family at 843-319-9413.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to Cumberland United Methodist Church, 163 S. Coit St., Florence, SC 29501, “Miracle Campaign” in his honor.
Please keep the family of Victor Bernard Brown in your thoughts and prayers.
Monday, February 28, 2022
2:00 - 5:00 pm (Eastern time)
J.O. & Annette Smith Memorial Chapel (Smith Funeral Home)
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Starts at 12:00 pm (Eastern time)
Florence Memorial Gardens & Mausoleum
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