James H. Brown Sr.

Elder James Henry Brown, Sr., age 86, made his glorious entrance on March 12, 1934 in Bethel (Pitt County), NC to the parents of William Jesse Brown and Linnie Bell Moore-Brown. He was the third of five children. Elder Brown made his triumphant exit on Sunday, February 21, 2021at home with his family by his bedside. Before Elder Brown took his last breath he had a praise on his lips and a song in his heart. He kept saying, “Thank you Jesus and keep me in your will” and he sang his favorite song, “What more can He do, He has laid the foundation - opened up the way, what more can He do?” Elder Brown attended Pitt County Public Schools until he was needed to work in the cotton and tobacco fields to help his father. Although Elder Brown was unable to finish school, his mother made sure that he attended church and studied the Bible. Elder Brown grew up in Saints Delight COGIC, in Bethel, NC under the Pastoral Leadership of Elder Purkett. Elder Brown accepted the Lord as his personal Savior and received the gift of the Holy Ghost at the age of 12 at a prayer meeting under the leadership of Mother Leatha Carney-Cotton (Bishop Vance Cotton Mother) at Riddick Chapel in Bethel, NC. On April 27, 1952, Elder Brown married Myrna Loy Pugh and to this union was born three boys, James Jr., William Earl, Douglas Edward, and one daughter, MeLisa Kaye. After starting his family, Elder Brown was drafted into the United States Army in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Once leaving the Army in 1957 Elder Brown relocated to New Haven, CT in search of a better life. Upon his arrival to CT he became a member of Trinity Temple COGIC on Foote Street under the leadership of the late Bishop Charles H. Brewer Sr., where he was a faithful and dedicated servant. Elder Brown loved to work in the church. He was a man that believed in making sure the leader was taken good care of. Elder Brown was one of many men that helped to work on Trinity Temple when they purchased the land on Dixwell Avenue and Henry Street. Elder Brown was a personal chauffeur for the late Bishop Charles Brewer, Sr. Elder Brown served on many committees. His favorite one was The Pastor’s Aide Committee. He sang in the choir and made sure that the church yard was well groomed. It was nothing for Elder Brown to put his lawnmower in the trunk of his Burnt Orange Chrysler and take care of the saints yards. Elder James Brown was originally ordained as an Elder by Bishop Brewer Sr. on October 28, 1972 at Trinity Temple. Over the years living in Connecticut, he has worked for many companies, but most of his working days were at Olin Brass Mill as a machine operator until the company relocated out of State. He also worked at the Colony Inn Hotel as a night porter. If you really knew him you would know that he was a jack of all trades, as he dabbled in carpentry, refurbishing homes, painting, and landscaping. Elder Brown was married to Myrna Loy Pugh for a total of 30 years until her unforeseen passing in 1998. For years Elder Brown lived the life of a widower whose life was filled by providing a legacy for his family and living for the Lord doing kingdom work. Elder Brown later remarried Margaret Balondemu who was originally from Kampala, Uganda after meeting her at Trinity Temple on January 23, 2002. Margaret Brown went home to be with the Lord in 2016. Elder James Brown leaves to cherish in his memory his two sons Elder James Brown Jr. (Delores) of Kansas City, MO, Douglas Brown of Windsor, NC, MeLisa K. Brown (Glenn) of New Haven, CT, and a bonus daughter Maureen Balondemu of Paris, Ontario Canada. Ten grandchildren and his special granddaughter & caregiver Antasia Brown, twenty-seven great grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren, and one God-son Pastor Mark Vereen. Six sister-in-laws Dr. Hedy Moore and Prophetess Ella Pugh of Windsor, NC, Elder Vivian Pugh and Katherine Pugh of Bronx, NY, Isabella Pugh of Charlotte, NC, and Artrell Pugh of Manhattan, NY. Two brother-in-laws Irish Pugh of Charlotte, NC and Deacon Douglas Pugh of Windsor, NC. His spiritual sons: Bishop Augustus Pullen, Pastor Roger Wilkins, Pastor Lynwood Barrett, Pastor James Clifton Allen, Bishop Charles H. Brewer III (Baby), Elder Ron Hurt, and Brother Edwin Labrador. He also leaves to cherish his best friend Walter McCain of Alabama, and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his two wives Myrna Brown and Margaret Brown, his son William Earl Brown, his parents William and Linnie Brown, his sister Letha Cherry, and brothers Nathaniel, Rufus, and Willie Brown.

James H. Brown Sr.

March 12, 1934 - February 21, 2021