MINISTER DAVID LEE BROWN SR.
Aug. 17, 1936-April 16, 2011
Minister David Lee Brown Sr., affectionately known as "Duke," was born Aug. 17, 1936, to the late bishop John David and minister Rosa Lee Brown. He entered into the realms of eternal rest April 16, 2011, to be with the Lord for an everlasting life of peace and happiness.
He graduated from Dillard High School in Goldsboro, N.C., in 1955.
He was joined in holy matrimony to Nora Jean Collie July 17, 1957. To this union four children were born.
He accepted the Lord at a very early age, and became a faithful member of Greater Guiding Star Holy Church, under the leadership of his father, the late bishop John David Brown.
After the death of Bishop Brown, he continued to serve in the following capacities under the new pastor, elder Joseph Williams Sr., member of the usher board, Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, chairman of the deacon board, ministerial appointment, and member of Greater Guiding Star official board.
He was a co-owner of J.D. Brown and Son's Church Furniture. He was a skilled carpenter, and his workmanship will continue to live in the numerous churches and residential homes throughout eastern and central North Carolina.
Minister Brown loved God, his family and the church, and found joy in helping others.
Minister Brown was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Delois Jones and the Rev. Gloria Bizzell; and brothers, the Rev. Christopher Brown Sr., and the Rev. John Brown (Rev. Mary).
He leaves to celebrate his life a loving and devoted wife of 53 years, Nora Jean Collie Brown; three sons, vice-bishop David Niven Brown (Margo) of Pinebluff, N.C., elder Terry Lee Brown Sr. (Pearlie) of Suffolk, Va. Edwin Jones (Terri) of Los Angeles, Calif.; two daughters, Cindy Brown Isler (bishop Michael Isler) of Winston-Salem, N.C., and a devoted loving daughter, Andrea Brown of the home. He is survived by two sisters, the Rev. Rosa Mae Bizzell (Major) of Goldsboro, N.C., and the Rev. Linda K. Cogdell (bishop Charles Cogdell) of Durham, N.C.; two brothers, trustee Samuel I. Brown (Irene) of Atlantic City, N.J., and the Rev. Carl H. Brown (Amelia) of Philadelphia, Pa.; nine grandchildren, the Rev. David Brown Jr. (Stephanie) of Southern Pines, N.C., deacon Daniel Brown (Ebony) of Aberdeen, N.C., Derrick Isler of Greenville, N.C., Terry Brown Jr. (Nasiya) of Virginia Beach, Va., Timothy Brown of Elizabeth City, N.C., Crystal Isler of Charlotte, N.C., Christiana Brown of Suffolk, Va., Johnathan Brown of Pinebluff, N.C., and Kira Dakota Jones of Los Angeles, Calif.; three great-grandchildren, Abigail Grace Brown, David Niven Brown III and Amani A. Brown; two aunts, the Rev. Lillie Johnson of Goldsboro and Martha Savage of Maryland; in-laws, Thomas Jones of Fremont, N.C., Robert Bizzell of Goldsboro, N.C., Gertie Brown of Goldsboro, N.C., Gwendolyn Gardner (late Jimmy) of Bronx, N.Y., Willie H. Collie (Naomi) of Goldsboro, N.C., Ronnie Best (late Cheryl) of Greensboro, N.C., and Harper Best (Linda) of Greensboro, N.C.; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and other loving relatives and friends
A visitation will be held Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Celebration of life services will be held Saturday at noon at Greater Guiding Star United Holy Church. Following the triumphant services in the sanctuary, Mr. Brown's corporeal temple, along with his adored family, will be escorted to Elmwood Cemetery for interment rites. For it will be in this earthly resting place that Minister Brown will remain until that day when God will put one foot on land and the other on water, and Gabriel will sound that glorious trumpet, and all those that are asleep in Christ shall rise up and reign with Him forever.
Services of compassion and distinguished class rendered by E.M. Matthews Funeral Home.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on April 21, 2011 1:47 PM