Charles Urban Brown, Jr. was born on September 26, 1948, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Charles Brown, Sr. and Ethelinda Brown. He and his younger brother, James (“Jimmy,” born in 1950), were raised in the Carondelet neighborhood, where their family were active members of Quinn Chapel AME Church.
Charles began kindergarten prior to integration and was bused to L’Ouverture Elementary School. After integration began, he attended carondelet neighborhood schools—Maddox and Blow—where his mother was a devoted volunteer. During these years, Charles took piano lessons, played clarinet in the school band, and spent summers at the YMCA’s Camp River Cliff in Bourbon, Missouri. He would later reflect that the camp staff instilled values and lessons that stayed with him throughout his life.
By the time Charles entered his freshman year at Cleveland High School, his natural athleticism was evident. He joined the Cleveland High School Dutchmen football team, excelling as a running back. After graduating in 1967, Charles earned an athletic scholarship to Northeast Missouri State University. During his junior year of high school, he began dating Roberta (“Bobbie”) Simon. The two eloped in 1968, and Bobbie joined Charles in Kirksville. They welcomed their son, Anthony Charles Brown, in 1969.
At Northeast Missouri State University, Charles continued to thrive athletically, playing football as a defensive back. He also became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and helped organize the Iota Theta Chapter at NEMSU. This brotherhood was a lifelong source of pride, purpose, and connection for him.
Charles graduated in 1971 and returned to St. Louis, where he completed his student teaching at his alma mater, Cleveland High School. He went on to teach physical education in the St. Louis Public Schools at Enright Junior High School and coached football, wrestling, and track and field at Soldan High School. During his decade in education, Coach Brown became a mentor and role model to hundreds of young people.
In 1974, Charles and Bobbie welcomed their daughter, Tanya Tolise Brown. The couple opened a neighborhood confectionary, Bobbie’s Corner, at Colorado Avenue and Fillmore Street—across from the home where Charles had grown up. They were deeply rooted in the Carondelet community, known as trusted friends, confidants, and hosts who welcomed everyone. Charles and Bobbie loved entertaining family and friends, dancing disco and bop, and traveling together.
In 1982, Charles left teaching and became an electrician with DeBow Electric, joining I.B.E.W. Local One. After sustaining an ischemic stroke in 1998, Charles retired on disability. During his recovery, he discovered and developed new passions, most notably genealogy. He became a leader within his extended family, organizing family reunions and becoming an expert researcher of his family’s history. Charles participated in the documentary Banished, which chronicled the racial cleansing and hangings of Pierce City, Missouri, in 1901. He later founded the St. Louis African American History and Genealogy Society, once again serving as a mentor and leader to genealogists across the country.
Perhaps the role that brought Charles the greatest joy was that of Grandpa. He discovered with intense joy how easily four little girls could wrap him around their fingers. Evangelina, Scarlet, Amelia and Sloane brought immense happiness and pride to his final years.
Charles leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 57 years, Bobbie Brown; his son, Tony (Jennifer) Brown; his daughter, Tanya (Charbel) Yaacoub; his granddaughters Eva, Scarlet, Amelia, and Sloane; his brother, James (Jillar) Brown; sisters-in-law Sheila Savka, Cheryl (John) Cole, and Kim (Guy) Gendron; brothers-in-law Kevin Simon, Robert Simon, and Todd (Cathy) Simon; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ethelinda Brown; his parents-in-law, Robert and Thelma Simon; brothers-in-law Art Simon and Gary Savka; and granddaughters Stella and Francesa Brown.
A Celebration of Life honoring Charles Urban Brown, Jr. will be held on February 28, 2026, at Wydown United Church, 6501 Wydown Blvd., Clayton, Missouri. Visitation will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life service at 1:00 p.m. In honor of Charles’ lifelong pride in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and his joyful spirit, the family invites attendees to wear purple and gold—or their most loved colors—as we celebrate his life and legacy.
You will always be in our thoughts and prayers, I love you CB
Beloved Cousin… you will be truly missed. It was an honor having you as a cousin and friend…
Cousin Charles will never be forgotten and his life made a difference to eveyone who crossed his path. I am forever grateful for his life lessons, and the time God allowed me to spend with him, his wife, and his grandchildren. Special Thanks to Cousin Bobbie, Cousin Tanya, and Cousin Tony for sharing your dad with all of us.
I’m really going to miss cousin Charles. I’m so glad that he called me and we had a nice conversation right before his passing. He left me with so many precious memories. I have pictures of family and ancestors that I will forever treasure because of Charles. We talked about the book Banished and me getting a copy because unfortunately I never received one. If it’s the Lord’s Will, hopefully one day a family member can reach out and help me to figure out how to get a copy. To Bobbie and the Brown family you have my heartfelt condolences and prayers. Love and blessings! 🙏🏾
Charles was a tough and dedicated teammate, gifted with many talents, but above all Charles was a good person you could always count on.
Charlie’s godmother, Marie DeBow brought us together as children. I always looked forward to seeing him when I would come to visit from Chicago. I loved you and Bobbie. We will miss you.
Leeotis Johnson
Such wonderful memories growing up with you CB . I turned to you for advice more times than I could remember. I’ve always had the utmost respect for you. You taught me a lot of so many things. I will always love and miss you.
Rest in peace Charlie..your stellar ways & love for family & fellow man will be missed but forever in our hearts. Much love to Bobbie & family.
I remember coach Brown from high school I was a freshman, back then I didn’t like shaving my armpits, and he use to ride my butt about that, that’s something I’ll never forget.
He was more than a coach he was a Confidant a friend a good man 👍 😉 👌 😄 … May he rest in peace 🙏
During the mid 1950s, Charles and I attended Maddox Elementary during our years of 3rd and 4th grade. It seems to me that he and I were the only African Americans in our class. He never knew the gratitude I held in my heart for him, especially during gym class when square dancing was a part of the curriculum. Because the girls were to line up against the wall and the boys were to walk across the room and pick a square dance partner, Charles saved me the humiliation of being left standing against that wall without a partner. He chose me every time. I will always be grateful for his understanding and sensitivity even at such a young age. We were one in spirit. He was always my friend.
I will always remember Charlie Brown as a wonderful man who was cousin and big Brother to me. Thank you for always being there when I needed you. Thank you for all the joy and laughter we shared. I love you and Bobbie forever and always. One day I’ll see you on the other side.
My heartfelt condolences for you and your family.
We will always miss our beloved neighbor and friend! Sending love and support to Bobbi and family always.
We will miss you Cousin Charlie. Rest in Peace with our Lord and Savior. In Jesus’s holy name. AMEN
This is just to say I love and miss you Charles. I’m trying to check on you as much as I could and prayed for you. Hoping that you would get better, same as I do for myself. Praying and hopes that I get better but you went by me. Have been a joy in my life and I’m going to miss you very much. We have had some conversations and they were were worth they were worth having because if we laughed so hard and I tell you I’m going to miss you buddy but you be you be there. Younger on the other side is Betty Fed. I’ll see you then. Love you always Bobby and love you always Charlie. Stay blessed Bobby. I got to you if you need anything.
Charles and I are cousins. I called him “Chuck.” Bobbie would crack up because she knew he didn’t like the nickname. Charles was the family historian. I am from Los Angeles. During one of my visits to St. Louis, the 4 cousin men (Bobby Bingham, James Brown, Charles, and I) went out on the town and had fun for a complete day. It was absolutely fun. Charles, I’ll be seeing you soon. Bobbie, “Send For Me” or Wanda for anything. We got your six.
Brother Brown you will truly be missed words can not describe how much you were loved by the brotherhood of Omega Psi Phi. Brother Brown and I shared a special bond my sincere condolence to you, Mother Brown may God continue to bless you and the entire BROWN family, your friend Earthquake , Stanley C. Muhammad