Robert Alonzo Brazell

Robert Alonzo Brazell, 83, devoted husband and father, died Monday, September 16, 2019 at Cape Fear Valley Hospital in the Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit after having developed complications from a heart attack he sustained four days prior.  

Robert, or Lonnie, as he was affectionately called, is proceeded in death by his mother Mary Brazell, his father, Ernest Brazell both of Huntsville, Alabama; three brothers, Charles Brazell (Indiana), Alton Brazell, and Alvin Brazell both of Alabama; a sister, Bea Dunson of Huntsville, Alabama. Son-in-laws Alan Knox, James Howard, daughter-in-law Kristen Brazell and great-granddaughter Leanne Michelle Pierce.

Lonnie is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Lou Brazell; 6 children Gwendolyn Mooneyham (Johnny) of North Carolina, Cynthia Knox of Tennessee, Debra Ayres (Sheldon) of North Carolina, ; Robert A. Brazell II of North Carolina; Veronica Orel (Tom) of North Carolina and Mary Beth Haire of North Carolina, 20 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren; and three siblings, Frank Brazell, Gene Brazell and Judy Maze, all of Huntsville, Alabama.

Lonnie joined the US Army in 1956. While on leave being stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, Lonnie met and fell in love with Mary Lou, making her his wife after nine short days. During his enlistment he served in several places to include Enewetak Atoll, Georgia, Alaska, Virginia, Korea, Texas, Vietnam (twice) and Fort Bragg North Carolina many times.

Throughout his service, he served with the 44th Medical Brigade and received the National Defense Service Medal, 6 Good Conduct Awards, Army Commendation Medal (1st OCL), Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry W/Palm.

In 1966, after having the third of six children, Lonnie and Mary Lou returned back to Fayetteville, NC and settled down purchasing a home where the family still resides. After retiring from the Army in 1976, Lonnie worked as an employee for Butler’s Wholesale Electric where he retired for a second time in 1993.

After the second retirement, Lonnie spent most of his days working in the back yard, spending time with his loving wife and spoiling his family with affection. Lonnie was a true patriarch of his family and will be missed very much.

 A visitation will be held Friday, September 20th at 8:30am with a Memorial Service beginning at 10am in the Rogers and Breece Chapel with Pastor Randy and Linda Johnson officiating the service.  Immediately following the Memorial Service, interment will take place at Lafayette Memorial Park West.

The family will be receiving friends and visitors at the family home until 6:00pm the day of the service.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Alonzo Brazell, please visit our floral store.