Benjamin William Brown (1937-2026)

Dr. Ben Brown, 88, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026, in his home in Raleigh, NC. His last days were spent lovingly surrounded by his family.

Ben was born on May 7, 1937 in High Point, NC, the son of H. Grady and Elsie Brown. In 1955, he enlisted in the US Air Force and was stationed in Germany. In the Air Force, he worked as a pharmacy-technician and traveled much of Europe. In 1959, he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Grace Marie Hudson. He briefly attended Appalachian State University, before transferring to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and Masters of Science in Endodontics. He was one of the first trained endodontists in the state of North Carolina. He practiced in Raleigh, NC, for over 40 years. Together he and his wife raised three children, and were blessed with five grandchildren. Ben and Grace were married for 61 loving, adventurous, and always interesting years.

In addition to his parents, Ben was preceded in death by his wife Grace Marie Hudson Brown, and his brother, Ronald Grady Brown.

He is survived by his children, Benjamin Thomas Brown of Raleigh, Andrew Hudson Brown and wife Rebecca Robbins of Amarillo, TX, and daughter Lisa Marie Brown Sheaffer and husband John Christian Sheaffer of Raleigh. He is also survived by his proudest joys, to whom he was known as Ah Yah, his five grandchildren: John Benjamin Brown Sheaffer, Hudson Christian Brown Sheaffer, Lucy Anna Grace Sheaffer, Caroline Lisa Marie Sheaffer, and James Grady Brown, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ben had an illustrious career in dentistry spanning 47 years. He graduated from UNC School of Dentistry in 1967, practiced briefly in Greensboro, before returning to UNC to be among the first cohort to complete the Masters of Endodontics program in 1971. That same year, he was a part of a close group of dental colleagues that built the Meredith Woods Professional Building in Raleigh, which became the home of his practice and continues to be home to several other dental offices. He made a difference for his patients through his kindness and expertise in resolving pain. In addition to his accomplishments in private practice, he was an active member in organized dentistry across North Carolina. He served as Speaker of the House of Delegates for the North Carolina Dental Society and as a member of the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners (from 1998-2001 and 2003-2006), including a term as President (from 2004-2005). Most recently, he served as a member of the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Caring Dental Professionals, from its creation in 2004 to 2025, well into his retirement. Ben had a passion for helping others, be it getting patients out of pain, helping dentists struggling with addiction and mental illness, or bettering the dental community across North Carolina. Throughout his career he contributed greatly to dental education through adjunct faculty positions at UNC School of Dentistry, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, and ECU School of Dental Medicine. He was a strong advocate and played a role in establishing the ECU School of Dental Medicine. He received several accolades throughout his career which included the North Carolina Dental Society Meritorious Achievement Award (1999), UNC School of Dentistry Distinguished Service Award (2008), North Carolina Dental Society Distinguished Service Scroll (2008), and the inaugural North Carolina Caring Dental Professionals Chadwick/Brown Meritorious Service Award (2024) named in part in his honor.. He retired from private practice in 2014, but continued to be an active and valued member of the dental community long after. He was an amazing role model and mentor to many, and it is worth noting the positive influence he had over his daughter Lisa, son-in-law Chris whom he also practiced with, grandson Hudson, and granddaughter Lucy Anna, in the pursuit of their own dental paths.

Ben and Grace shared a love for eastern NC, and they came to know Beaufort, NC as a second and beloved hometown. Around Beaufort, Ben was known as an experienced fisherman and boater. He loved spending time on the water with his family, created a fishing club where taught several friends and colleagues about fishing and boating, and passed on his wisdom to his children and grandchildren. He had many fish tales to share. Ben’s happiest days were spent on his Carolina Skiff, Lucy Marie. He enjoyed working on boats and boat motors with his grandson JB, a boat mechanic. It was a mutual sharing of knowledge as they taught and learned from each other.

In addition to boating and fishing, Ben always had a love of live music. He was proud to follow along and support his sons’ different paths in the music industry, Andy as a long-time performer and as a skilled luthier, and Bennie as hard-working crew for The Embers Featuring Craig Woolard. He was excited when he learned that his grandson Grady had begun to learn how to play the viola, proud to have another musician in his family.

Ben also had an interest in flying, as he hoped to learn more about when he joined the US Air Force. His vision precluded that dream, but later in life he was extremely proud when his granddaughter Caroline became a licensed pilot and he followed closely as she continued to pursue her professional flight career. One cherished hobby that he enthusiastically shared with all of his children and grandchildren was his love of trains. Over the years he created a “train room” with quite a fun layout of tracks and an extensive collection of Marx model trains meant to be played with and enjoyed.

He stayed close to his family roots just outside of Seagrove, NC, where he spent lots of time on his grandfather’s farm. He always shared fond memories of the farm with his grandparents, parents, and cousins, and created the same memories on the farm with his children and grandchildren. He was a proud member of the Hardy Brown family, and stayed involved with family reunions each year.

Ben’s family and friends will miss him dearly. He had the biggest heart and would move mountains trying to help anyone that needed it, at any time of day. His family called him “Mr. Fix It” and he could truly figure out how to fix just about anything, cars, dental chairs, lamps, lawnmowers, dolls, the list is endless. He was a skilled woodworker and often built pieces of furniture on request in custom sizes. He was handy with a sewing machine, and even sewed the pink and white gingham curtains for his granddaughters’ bedroom. He was a unique person and a wonderful role model for all of us. He and Grace had so much love to share with everyone; it seemed to never run out. We will cherish each and every memory of them, and will strive to continue their legacy of love and service.

Ben’s legacy will be honored with a Celebration of Life followed by a traditional Eastern North Carolina Barbecue Lunch. This will be held at 1:00 p.m. on May 30, 2026 at the Meredith Woods Professional Building, 2310 Myron Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina. A private graveside ceremony will be held at Carteret Memorial Gardens in Beaufort, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Grace Marie Hudson Brown Memorial Patient Care Fund at the ECU School of Dental Medicine. This fund was created by Dr. Ben Brown in honor of his wife, and it provides dental care to underserved North Carolinians. Dr. Brown created this fund with the intention of honoring Grace’s passion for education in collaboration with her love for Eastern North Carolina. By providing dental care to underserved North Carolinians, this fund not only improves the dental health of North Carolinians, it also improves dental education for the student providers. Donations can be made to the fund by clicking here or by contacting Jon Jones at 252-737-7063, or jonesjona19@ecu.edu.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.