Resident of the Month

Lannie was born August 12, 1940 in Troutman, NC to parents, Carrie and Holland Brown. As a boy, he enjoyed learning the finer points of masonry and construction alongside Holland, who was a building contractor. Lannie was 15 when his Dad passed away, and he and his older sister, Theresa went to live with paternal grandparents, Zell and Josie Brown, on their farm in Troutman.

Lannie finished high school at Troutman High in 1958 where he played football and basketball. He was an asset to the team not only because he was an offensive and defensive lineman, but also because he knew the system of 11-man football from Statesville High. Troutman played 8-man until the fall season of 1957.

Lannie was voted most popular and best-looking his senior year of 1958. While at Troutman High, Lannie also made the acquaintance of Jean Murdock, a pretty cheerleader and secretary of the senior class who became his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 65 years.

After high school, Lannie earned an accounting degree from King’s Business College in Charlotte, NC. He began Army basic training at Fort Jackson, SC on July 5, 1959 and after completion reported to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri (by hitchhiking from Troutman) for engineering training.

Lannie was employed at Brown Millwork and International Paper prior to his full-time position in the Army National Guard. He was stationed at the following locations: Statesville, NC – Engineer Company; Hickory, NC – 2nd Battalion, 120th Mechanized Infantry “Mountain Rifles”; Durham, NC – Core Support Group; Lenoir, NC – HQ 540th QM BN “Haughty Haulers”; Clinton, NC – 449th Aviation Group.
Lannie attended Infantry School – Fort Benning, GA; Communications School – Fort Sill, OK; Operations/Intelligence School – Fort Bliss, TX; Sergeant Major Academy – Fort Bliss, TX.

Jean and Lannie have 3 children: Gwyn Brown Oates (Billy), Ellen Brown Warner (Bret), and the late Grant Holland Brown. They have 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

After retirement, Lannie and Jean enjoyed traveling and some of their favorite adventures were trips they took as each grandchild finished the 5th grade. They were faithful members of First United Methodist Church in Troutman, NC for many years and Lannie has a great faith in his Lord Jesus. He now enjoys attending Covenant Presbyterian with his daughter, Gwyn.

Jean passed away in October 2024 and Lannie moved to Oakview Park in June 2025. He enjoys the many activities including playing Kings in the Corner with fellow residents, visits from musicians, and weekly lunch outings.