Laurens County, South Carolina – Doug Brownlee, a 58-year-old resident of Laurens County, tragically lost his life on Friday, September 27, 2024, when multiple trees fell onto his home during a severe storm.
The Laurens County Coroner, Nathan Stanley, confirmed that Brownlee died after approximately six trees collapsed onto his residence on Clairmont Drive, a devastating aftermath of what many residents described as a combination of a hurricane and a tornado.
Neighbors expressed deep sorrow for the loss of Brownlee, a man known for his generosity and care for his community.
Meredith Mitchell, a neighbor, shared heartfelt memories of Brownlee’s kindness, mentioning how he often shared produce from his garden and looked after his widowed neighbors.
“He was so kind, always in his garden,” she said.
Another neighbor, Kay Donaldson, recalled seeing Brownlee and his wife walking their grandchildren just days before the tragic event.
“They were such a close-knit family,” she remarked.
Although his wife was inside the home at the time of the incident, she was unharmed.
As neighbors mourn the loss of Brownlee, they continue to offer their prayers and support to his family as they face the difficult road ahead.
“He will be very much missed in this neighborhood,” Donaldson added.