Heyward Gregg Brown, Jr.

Every memorable story has a message.  A message of faith.  A message of hope.  A message of Love.  The message of Heyward Gregg Brown, Jr’s story is a simple one: “do good.”  Woody , as he was known, continued his story in Heaven on Sunday, March 20, 2022, after a lifetime of doing good on earth.

Woody’s story begins in Atlanta, Georgia on February 6, 1949.  The only child of Mary Ben Boswell Brown and Heyward Gregg Brown, Sr., his journey of doing good began in Penfield, Georgia, and through his father’s service to his country as a Veterinarian in the United States army would take him to places throughout the world.   With an unwavering sense of family and fondness of home, Woody enrolled in Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Georgia where, through the Army ROTC program, he began an extensive military career that spanned over 25 years.  Upon the successful completion of his bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State College, Woody followed the same calling of a higher purpose as his father and accepted a commission into the United States Army.

Heyward’s career as a commissioned officer began in Field Artillery, immediately followed by an acceptance into the Army Aviation branch, in which he would ultimately earn his Senior Pilot Badge as a helicopter pilot.  His service would take him to all corners of the globe, to include an assignment to Korea, where he met and married his wife, Agnes, with whom he would share forty-eight years of marriage and bring forth three daughters: Beth Marie, Rebecca Lee, and Holly Anne.

Heyward’s career in the Army would take the Brown family on many adventures in which he found himself with opportunities to continue his education and to teach others, a passion he was gifted by both of his parents.  Woody graduated with honors from the University of Louisville with a Juris Doctor degree and later spent time at Wake Forest University as a professor of Military Science.  However, his greatest sense of fulfillment came in teaching and helping to guide his three daughters and seven grandchildren with his much-loved wife, Agnes.

Following his retirement, Heyward and his family returned to his roots in Penfield in 2000.  Continuing the proud legacy of his parents, Heyward and Agnes would spend the next 22 years renovating his family’s home, Yesteryears.  During this time, Heyward also enjoyed being a friend and advocate of all animals, traveling with his wife and, spending time with his children and grandchildren, with whom he would leave an indelible lesson- “never compromise your prerogatives.”

As Heyward’s story begins a new chapter, his wife, children, and grandchildren want to express our most heartfelt and earnest thanks to him.  Woody, Dad, Paw Paw, thank you for unconditional love, devout belief, and devotion to doing good, and unwavering commitment to our family.  In your time with us, you  imparted upon us life’s most difficult and valuable lessons and changed the world in nonobvious ways through your life’s story.  Our successes and failures, dreams and accomplishments are all because  of your love for each  one of us.  We will continue to bear witness to your  story each day as we share with others your teachings and wisdom.  Heyward Gregg Brown, Jr. lived a full life devoting himself to his family and mankind.  He truly emulated Galatian 6:10; “ So then as we have opportunity let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household faith.”

Heyward’s legacy is continued by his wife, Agnes, of Penfield, Ga; daughters Beth Brown Dousa and husband Todd Dousa of Abingdon, MD, Rebecca Law and husband LtCol Nicholas Law (USMC) of MCBH, HI., Holly Brown and husband Bradley Allan of Kailua, HI.; Mr. Donald Marlow of Essex, MD.; grandchildren Gregg Brown Lewis Marlow, Collin Donald Noble Marlow and Reagan Catherine Lara Marlow all of Abingdon, MD and Candler Grace Law, Emory Anne Law, Willoughby Reese Law and Hammond Henry Law all of MCBH, HI., his cherished pets, and a number of other relatives and good friends.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Penfield Cemetery, 1211 Cemetery Road, Penfield, GA 30669 with Rev. Reggie Haslett  officiating.  The family request that in lieu of flowers that any memorials be made to charities benefitting causes of great importance, including those affiliated with Veterans, children, and animals.  McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA oversees arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online register.

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