Mr. Henry "Shorty" Brown, age 83 of Elkin, slid into home plate to join his wife Jo on Monday, May 21, 2012. Shorty will be remembered for his quick wit, his easy laugh, and his great love for baseball, his wife, and his family. Many in the community remember how this star outfielder for the Chatham Blanketeers married the "peach of Elkin" on the baseball field in 1950. Shorty was married to Jo, the biggest love of his life, for 61 years Shorty was born July 22, 1928 in Yadkin County to Walter J. Brown and Carrie Holcomb Brown. He lived his entire life in the Elkin area. Shorty worked at Chatham Manufacturing for over 40 years and was a longtime member of Elkin Presbyterian Church. He had many dear, lifelong friendships fostered at Chatham Manufacturing, Elkin Presbyterian Church, and enjoyed playing golf with them at Cedarbrook Country Club. Shorty played baseball throughout high school and in the Minor Leagues. He was featured in 1951's Famous Slugger year book, sharing the same page with Mickey Mantle. "Mickey made it to the majors" Shorty was fond of saying "and I went to Chatham!" In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, JoAnn B. Brown; and brother, Herbert J. Brown. Survivors include: son, Steve Brown and his wife Glenda of State Road; daughter, Lorre Brown Coone and her husband David of Lake Wylie, SC; grandchildren, Matthew Brown and Emily Brown. A memorial service will be conducted Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Elkin Presbyterian Church with Rev. Doug Gebhard officiating. The family will receive friends thirty minutes prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Elkin Presbyterian Church, 151 Hillcrest Drive, Elkin, NC 28621. The family would like to thank the staff of Heritage Healthcare of Elkin, Dr. Paul Gulley, Cathy Coe, and United Hospice for their exceptional care. The family also expresses thanks to the Brown's neighbors for their help and care over the past 57 years.
