Ovid Brown

Mr. Ovid Porter O.P. Brown

Funeral Services for Mr. Ovid Porter O.P. Brown will be Tuesday, December 23rd at 10 am at James Webb Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be officiated by Rev.David Price. Interment will be held at Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, MS at 2:30 PM. James F. Webb Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Brown, age 82, of Meridian, died Friday, December 19, 2008 at Beverly Living Center in Meridian, MS. He was born on September 24th 1926 in Steens MS to Walter and Margie Brown. He graduated from S D Lee High School, Columbus MS in 1944, entered the Navy and served aboard the USS Bingham in the South Pacific during WWII until discharged in 1946. He continued his education at Mississippi State receiving a B.S. Degree in Accounting in May 1949. Mr. Brown married his High School Sweetheart Nina Louise Leech on December 29, 1946. He began his career with the Telephone Company in 1949 as a Survey Engineer, then Public Office Manager in Jackson MS. He was transferred to the Meridian office in 1952. In 1959 he was transferred to Greenwood MS to serve as District Manager then back to Meridian in 1965 where he served as District Manager until 1980. He was given the position of District Manager of Corporate and Community Affairs for East Central Mississippi covering 17 counties. He remained in this position until his retirement in 1987. In the early 90s local business leaders called upon Mr. Browns business knowledge and experience to lead Meridians The Partnership as Interim CEO until a suitable replacement could be hired. After a short tenure, a replacement was found and he was able to retire again, but stayed active in the community until his death. His support, service and leadership in Community Affairs has been numerous and varied. Mr. Browns affiliations include; Secretary, Vice President, President, Meridian Exchange Club -- Vice President Mississippi Exchange Club -- Campaign Chairman, Vice President, and President, Greenwood Leflore County United Givers Fund -- Campaign Chairman, Greenwood Leflore County March of Dimes -- Vice President and President, Greenwood and Meridian Area Chamber of Commerce -- Committee Chairman, Advisory Board Chairman, Greenwood and Meridian, Salvation Army -- Board of Directors, Executive Board, Delta Area Council and Choctaw Area Council, Boy Scouts of America Board of Directors, Cancer Society Heart Fund Civil Defense Arthritis Foundation Kidney Foundation Junior Achievement Vice President, President, Lauderdale County TB Association, Leflore County and Lauderdale County Chapter of American Red Cross, United Way, Navy League, Meridian Little Theatre, East Mississippi Council -- USO Chairman Committee Chairman, Executive Committee, Vice President, President, Meridian Council Telephone Pioneers of America Wagon Master, Magnolia Belles Campers Board of Directors, Mid America Old Time Automobile Association MOTAA President, Vintage Wheels Antique Car Club -- Vice President, President, Greenwood and Meridian Rotary Club as well as Rotary District Governor of District 682. Past and Present Memberships include; Mississippi Economic Council, MSU Alumni Association, Meridian Art Museum, Meridian Symphony, MCC Foundation, EMBDC, Meridian Main Street Program, Meridian Redevelopment Authority, East Mississippi State Hospital Advisory Council, and Foster Grandparents Advisory Council. Mr. Brown was very active in his Church, Central United Methodist Church in Meridian and supported his home Church of the same name in Columbus MS. He served as an Usher, served on the Board of Trustees, Administrative Board, taught Sunday School Rae Hartley Class, helped out in the office and delivered Meals on Wheels.
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Visitation

James F. Webb Funeral Home
2514 7th Street
Meridian, MS  39301
Monday, December 22, 2008
5:00 to 8:00 PM

Service

Chapel

James F. Webb Funeral Home
2514 7th Street
Meridian, MS  39301
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Friendship Cemetery
Columbus, MS  39703

Memorial Contributions

Central United Methodist Church Building Fund
P.O. Box 1706
Meridian, MS  39302

The Alzheimers Association Mississippi Chapter
P.O. Box 96011
Washington, DC  20090