Gordon Browning "Brownie" Tittsworth, age 85, of Smithville went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 3, 2022 at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital. 

He was born in Smithville on June 17, 1936 to his parents, the late Haskel and Maudell Parker Tittsworth.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings, Billy Tittsworth, Jane Rawls, Faye Cantrell and Sandra Jones and three infant siblings. 

Gordon Browning "Brownie" Tittsworth was a very unique and honorable man.  His family and church was his most loved things in his life. He was a Deacon at Mt. View Primitive Baptist Church.   Brownie loved horses and mules and driving wagons, old westerns and John Wayne movies.  He loved people and to talk about all the stories he had growing up, playing football, hauling ice with his homemade goat wagon, and working at Bracket Estes grocery store after and before school.  He had a paper route at 6 years old.  He took care of his mother and sisters.  He took on the role of an adult at a very young age.  He loved trucks and cars, and always wanted to show off his treasures.  Several boys stayed with Brownie and Lillian to learn his discipline and traits, they succeeded in life from what they learned.  He married Lillian after 6 months on December 19, 1953, and they enjoyed 69 years of marriage.  After nine years, they had Vivian which was the joy of his eye.  They rode horses together, went on wagon rides, attended church together and many family vacations. Working 30 years for Community Towel, he met several friends over the 33 counties he worked. If you ever met Brownie, you never forgot him. After retiring from Community Towel, he opened a tire shop at home. Several people supported him along with a little trading he did on the side. It was nothing for him to bring a horse, or goat, or dog home in the laundry trade. Before Covid, he loved going to McDonald's and discussing the world issues with his men friends. His priority was taking care of his church and yard where he was at peace on the lawn mower until his health began to decline. He loved his great-grandchildren with his whole heart. He would sing, and swing them and teach them many life lessons. He loved Bradley, his grandson, as if he was his own. He was always willing to do whatever his grandson and great-grandchildren wanted to do. Brownie was known by so many and always throwing his hand up at everyone that passed, whistling as he went along and stopping to check on friends and family. He will be truly missed by all that knew him. 

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Lillian Tittsworth of Smithville; daughter, Vivian (Gary) Johnson of Smithville; grandson, Bradley (Kayla) Johnson of Smithville; great-grandchildren, Brownie, Rylee, Levi, Madalyn, Grant and Emmett; sister, Betty T. Hale of Virginia Beach, VA; sister-in-law, Judy Cantrell of McMinnville; brother-in-law, Zollie D. Cantrell of Knoxville; several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.  

Funeral service was held Wednesday April 6, 2022 at Mt. View Primitive Baptist Church, in Smithville with Elder Paul Violet and Elder Ricky Arnold officiating. Burial followed in DeKalb Memorial Gardens.

Serving as pallbearers were Bradley Johnson, Danny Agee, Robbie Cantrell, Donald Knowles, Paul Smith, Jerry Pollard, Brownie Johnson, Gary Johnson, Ty Tittsworth, and Jeff Cantrell. Honorary pallbearers included Ernest Clifton Cantrell, Clark Lance, Doug Stephens, Bill Robertson, and Boyd Cantrell.

The family asks that donations be made to Mt. View Primitive Baptist Church, in memory of Brownie.  

DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Smithville, was in charge of arrangements. 

Smithville Review

(Smithville, TN)

April 13, 2022