Isham E. Brown

Isham Brown was born September 18, 1921 at home in Demory, LaFollette, TN to Nancy Sharp Brown and Foster Brown. He had 1 older brother, Charlie and 1 living older sister, May. His sister Lola had died during the flu epidemic in October 1918. Following Isham, three sisters, Sue, Josie, and Edna Jane, plus one brother, James (Jay) were added to the family. Isham grew up in Demory and the Westbourne Coal Mining Camp in Campbell County, TN. At 16 he left his home for FDR'S CCC work program working in the western US. He was working in Baltimore, MD as a longshoreman when the US became involved in WWII. He joined the army and served in General Patrons 3rd Army. He was in the second wave of the allied invasion of France. He was at Rumagen where the allies captured the first bridge across the Rhine River into Germany. He was also involved in the Battle of the Bulge where he received a minor injury. His brother Charlie had also been wounded so he refused the Purple Heart to avoid causing his mother additional distress. He was a career US Army serviceman with combat duty in the Korean War as well. In September 1964 Isham retired from the army with an honorable discharge and rank of Sergeant First Class.

On December 23, 1957, he married Goldie Ruth Burris of Whitman Hollow, LaFollette, TN. In April,1958 Ruth joined Isham in Germany where he was stationed. On October 8,1958, their daughter Debra Jean was born. By the end of the year the family was back in the United States. On April 23, 1960 their son, Sam Eugene was born at Ft. Hood, TX.

After retirement, Isham found employment with US Steel, South Works Chicago. The family moved to the Chicago area; first living in Hammond IN, and finally settling in Dolton, IL. In April 1980 Isham's and Ruth's marriage was dissolved.

In 1983, after retiring from US Steel, Isham moved back to Tennessee where, in 1993 he met Donna Conk and her 2 daughters, Ruth Ann and Rita with their families. On December 20, 1996, he and Donna were married. Together, they enjoyed boating and fishing on Norris Lake, traveling the US and visits with their children and grandchildren; Mary, Grace, Joseph, Heidi, Wendi, Erick, Jacob, Scott, Christie, Amanda, Deana, Mandy, Samantha.

He is preceded in death by former wife Goldie Ruth Burris Brown; parents Foster and Nancy (Sharp) Brown; brothers Charles and Jay Brown; sisters Lola Brown, Edna Clotfelter, Mae Cooper, and Sue Ward.

He is survived by wife Donna (Schroeder) Brown of Jacksboro; son Sam Brown and wife Wendy of Whiting, Indiana; daughters Debra Bank and husband Bruce of Union, Kentucky, Ruth Ann Hessler and husband Richard of Greensburg, Indiana, Rita Kuntz and husband Ben of Butlerville, Indiana; sister Josie Lawson of LaFollette; 13 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 10-11 AM Monday, June 26, 2017 in the chapel of Martin Wilson Funeral Home; funeral service at 11 AM with Pastor George Bollinger officiating followed by the interment in Pond Cemetery.

Family has requested no flowers.  Contributions can be made to a charity of your choice.

Mr. Brown's guestbook may be viewed at martinwilsonfuneralhome.com