Ordie C. Brown, aged 95, peacefully departed to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. A man of remarkable strength, quick wit, Ernest Ordie Columbus Brown, known by his full government name, entered this world on October 28, 1928, in Reevesville, South Carolina, on a Shady Grove Camp Meeting Sunday, a fact he always fondly recalled. He was the youngest of eight siblings.

Ordie received his education in Dorchester County's public schools and proudly graduated from South Carolina State College (later University), earning a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. After graduating, Ordie enlisted in the United States Army and became a military policeman, a role he held with great pride during challenging times. On November 28, 1953, he married Corine Britt, and together they shared 57 years of holy matrimony until Corine's passing in 2011.

Leaving South Carolina briefly to seek better opportunities, Ordie spent time in New York and Florida before returning to St. George to pursue farming, affirming his belief that "you can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy."

From an early age, Ordie was a dedicated member of Saint Matthews Baptist Church in Reevesville. Later, he became an active member of St. Mark United Methodist Church, serving faithfully as church secretary, member of the Adult Choir, and in various other capacities until his health declined- until he got "too old" as he would say.

Ordie was a member of Bright Star Lodge #50, serving diligently into his later years. The first week after the third Sunday of October - if you know, you know. Ordie loved Camp Meeting! He was a trustee of Shady Grove Camp Ground and remained active until declining health, yet still offering his insight.

Ordie was an avid follower of current events and politics, demonstrating a deep passion for staying informed about the world around him. He could engage in lengthy, animated discussions on these topics, offering insightful commentary and analysis that reflected his years of observation and critical thinking. His enthusiasm for political discourse was infectious, often drawing in family members and visitors for spirited debates that could last for hours.

Upon visiting Ordie, it quickly became apparent that his daily news ritual was sacred. Guests learned to time their visits around his favorite news programs, knowing that interruptions during these broadcasts were gently but firmly discouraged. He had a particular affinity for MSNBC, and among its lineup, Joy Reid stood out as his favorite host.

Fishing was one of Ordie's favorite pastimes, taking pride in catching five-pound bass from his fishing pond - a walking distance from his back porch, and traveling to Bear Island & Santee to fish. He was also an avid spo1is fan and enjoyed watching football - no favorite team - just football. In addition, he loved his almost daily dose of ice cream and cake. These pastimes - fishing, football, and his daily sweet treat­ were more than just hobbies for Ordie. They were integral parts of his identity, sources of joy that kept him young at heart, and activities that allowed him to connect with loved ones across generations. They painted a picture of a man who knew how to enjoy life's simple pleasures and who found happiness in the everyday moments that made life sweet.

Ordie was a consummate extrovert who loved people. He never met a stranger and had a knack for making everyone feel like family. If your last name happened to be Brown, he'd insist you were related somewhere down the line, showcasing his warm and inclusive nature.

Recently, the reopening of the St. George Rosenwald School became a source of great joy for Ordie. He was elated to see the rejuvenation of the school that held such significance in his life. This institution, part of the historic Rosenwald Schools project that provided education for African American children in the rural South during the early 20th century, represented a pivotal chapter in Ordie's personal history and the community's educational legacy. He enthusiastically shared stories of his time there, emphasizing the school's role in shaping his early education and fostering a lifelong love of learning. Ordie took pride in the preservation of this important piece of local history, seeing it as a testament to the progress made and a beacon of hope for future generations.

Ordie received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest civilian honor, from the governor of South Carolina in recognition of his dedicated service on the Board of Edisto Electric Cooperative. This prestigious award acknowledged his numerous years of commitment to improving rural electrification and community development. His long tenure on the board was marked by significant advancements in expanding electricity access to underserved areas and advocating for fair energy policies. This achievement was particularly noteworthy given the historical barriers and discrimination faced by African Americans in positions of leadership, especially in the South. Ordie's receipt of this honor not only celebrated his individual accomplishments but also symbolized progress in racial equality and representation in South Carolina's civic and business spheres.

Ordie will be remembered as a family man. He loved his family and was a fierce protector of them. He was always thinking of and researching ways to help his family, especially his children. If he was ever in your corner, you were assured of unwavering support and steadfast loyalty.

In his twilight years, Ordie found immense joy in the continued connections with his extended family, particularly his nieces and nephews. These interactions became a source of profound happiness and a testament to the strong familial bonds he had nurtured throughout his life. Ordie would light up whenever he received a call or a visit from these younger family members. He affectionately referred to himself as "the old man" in these contexts, a moniker that was equal parts self-deprecating humor and pride in his role as the family patriarch. Each time a niece or nephew reached out, it reinforced his sense of legacy and the impact he had on the younger generations.

In 2012, Eliza Dwight, a friend from early school years, became his loving companion, and they enjoyed their later years with fur buddies Neemo & Sage, fishing, gardening, and traveling to and from Virginia, South Carolina & Florida with the cruise control on "60." Her children Arlene & Eugene became an extension of his family.

Ordie was preceded in death by his grandson Michael A. Jordan, II "lil Mike"; his siblings: Marion Brown, Bertie Fredrick, Fannie Dixon, Esther Dash, John K. Brown, Leroy Brown, and Pearline "Pinky" Glass.

Ordie leaves to cherish fond memories, his daughter Ordrine (Michael) Jordan, son Benjamin Brown, grandsons Zachary E. (Zach) Brown (fiancée Stephanie Maldonado), Aiden B. Brown, and granddaughter Mia I. Brown; great-grands Zayshaun, Dasia, Zayana, Jazaiah, Zachary Jr., and Za'Carri Brown. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Francis (Max) Folds, Susie Queen (Rev. General) Britt, Nellie Rose Primus; brothers-in-law Bennie Britt and Paul Britt, and a host of other beloved family members and friends.

Special recognition goes to Goddaughter Wendetta Edwards and Blair Wolfe for their faithful support, and to Barbara "Cricket" Elmore, who in a short time became family.