Born March 3, 1921, Rev. Spencer Brown, was pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Marianna for 51 years and pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Moro for 50 years.
Rev. Brown was married to deceased LaVivian Beasley Brown of Marianna for 73 years. They gave birth to seven children. Rev. Brown loved community and his work, good deeds, and voice for the community, both church and politically span from local to national. He understood the importance and inextricable relationship of church, state, community and the people. He was a civil rights activist, a community leader and former school board member.
Rev. Brown assisted the development of many initiatives in Lee County that served the needs of people. He was a Mason, a collaborative trailblazer in the development of the Marianna Head Start Program and Lee County Cooperative Clinic. He was a voice for the harmony of all people. He stood by his convictions, openly supporting and voting for Democrats and Republicans. He felt a person's character should define that decision.
Rev. Brown broke ground by selling some of his farmland, and built houses so other families could own their home in what is now known as Brown's Addition, a progressive civic-minded outside Marianna City limits. Brown built homes for people before FHA created its loan program by providing affordable financing for buyers. He proudly encouraged people to vote and was seen at the courthouse voting during the 2016 election. On Jan. 18, 2017, we lost a pillar of the community and a century of wisdom and good will.
He leaves many to mourn his passing including a son: Pervis, (Thelma-divorced); daughters, Wyvonne (Waymond) Sisk and Carolyn (Michael-divorced) Elliott of Marianna; Deborah (Oscar) Sparks, Edmonson, daughters-in-law, Linda (Barry-deceased), Ocie (Elmore-deceased), Lela (Spencer Jr.-deceased) Brown and Donna (Spencer Jr.- significant other) Scanzoni, St. Louis, Mo.; one brother: Clayborn (Lula), Toledo, Ohio; sisters: Elizabeth (Alonzo-deceased) Griffin, Philadelphia, Pa., Carrie (Foster-deceased) Board, Detroit, Mich.; sister-in-law, Margaret (Lavernard (Ray)-deceased) Brown, Columbus, Ohio; brother-in-law, Clifton (Olivia-deceased) James, West Covina, Calif., and deceased sister, Wihelmina Butler; brothers, James (Maerene) Brown of Marianna and McKinley Brown, Toledo, Ohio. Spencer leaves generations of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, a host of relatives and friends to carry on the legacy for humanity.
Friends are cordially invited to a celebration of his life with the family at one of the churches he pastored from 6 to 8 o'clock in the evening on Friday, the 27th of January, in the sanctuary of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Marianna.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, beginning at 11 a.m. Interment will take place at St. John Cemetery.
Kincaid Funeral Services of Forrest City is in charge of all arrangements.
Published by Times-Herald from Jan. 26 to Jan. 27, 2017.
Born March 3, 1921, Rev. Spencer Brown, was pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Marianna for 51 years and pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Moro for 50 years.
Rev. Brown was married to deceased LaVivian Beasley Brown of Marianna for 73 years. They gave birth to seven children. Rev. Brown loved community and his work, good deeds, and voice for the community, both church and politically span from local to national. He understood the importance and inextricable relationship of church, state, community and the people. He was a civil rights activist, a community leader and former school board member.
Rev. Brown assisted the development of many initiatives in Lee County that served the needs of people. He was a Mason, a collaborative trailblazer in the development of the Marianna Head Start Program and Lee County Cooperative Clinic. He was a voice for the harmony of all people. He stood by his convictions, openly supporting and voting for Democrats and Republicans. He felt a person's character should define that decision.
Rev. Brown broke ground by selling some of his farmland, and built houses so other families could own their home in what is now known as Brown's Addition, a progressive civic-minded outside Marianna City limits. Brown built homes for people before FHA created its loan program by providing affordable financing for buyers. He proudly encouraged people to vote and was seen at the courthouse voting during the 2016 election. On Jan. 18, 2017, we lost a pillar of the community and a century of wisdom and good will.
He leaves many to mourn his passing including a son: Pervis, (Thelma-divorced); daughters, Wyvonne (Waymond) Sisk and Carolyn (Michael-divorced) Elliott of Marianna; Deborah (Oscar) Sparks, Edmonson, daughters-in-law, Linda (Barry-deceased), Ocie (Elmore-deceased), Lela (Spencer Jr.-deceased) Brown and Donna (Spencer Jr.- significant other) Scanzoni, St. Louis, Mo.; one brother: Clayborn (Lula), Toledo, Ohio; sisters: Elizabeth (Alonzo-deceased) Griffin, Philadelphia, Pa., Carrie (Foster-deceased) Board, Detroit, Mich.; sister-in-law, Margaret (Lavernard (Ray)-deceased) Brown, Columbus, Ohio; brother-in-law, Clifton (Olivia-deceased) James, West Covina, Calif., and deceased sister, Wihelmina Butler; brothers, James (Maerene) Brown of Marianna and McKinley Brown, Toledo, Ohio. Spencer leaves generations of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, a host of relatives and friends to carry on the legacy for humanity.
Friends are cordially invited to a celebration of his life with the family at one of the churches he pastored from 6 to 8 o'clock in the evening on Friday, the 27th of January, in the sanctuary of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Marianna.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, beginning at 11 a.m. Interment will take place at St. John Cemetery.
Kincaid Funeral Services of Forrest City is in charge of all arrangements.
Published by Times-Herald from Jan. 26 to Jan. 27, 2017.
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