James Brown Sr.

May 19, 1935 - April 25, 2022

Deacon James L. Brown Sr. passed away peacefully on April 25, 2022 at the home of his daughter. Mr. Brown was born in Troy, Alabama on May 19, 1935 to the late Willie James Brown and Jettie Mae Brown McBride. He was baptized at the age of 7 years old under the Reverend Smith at Shiloh Baptist Church in Troy, Alabama. He attended the local schools graduating from the Academy Street High School in 1953. He also attended the South Central College, now Gateway Community College. He moved to New Haven CT August, 1953. He was employed at Winchester Arms in New Haven, Farrell Birmingham in Ansonia, Steven Ford in Milford and the US Postal Service where he retired after 34 years. He served in the US Army receiving an honorable discharge. He joined Community Baptist Church in 1952 under Reverend Pharr. He was a member of the CBC Deacon Ministry, ordained under Reverend Jason Turner, a member of the Sunday School under Deacon Wells and a former member of the choir. He participated in and graduated from the 2007 Foundation Bible Class under Sister Janie Holmes. He recently received a proclamation of New Haven and was inducted into the Community Baptist Church Men’s Ministry Legacy of Excellence. He spoke with great love for his church and the members. He was a praying man, constantly praying for others and thanking God, very grateful for all of his Blessings. He had a great love for baseball and basketball, participated in both sports in his younger years. He was a team member for the New Haven Cardinals baseball team and ardent fan of the New York Mets and the UConn Girls Basketball Team. He enjoyed traveling. He was a little man with a big mouth enjoyed having a good time. He served in the office of president in the New Haven Cardinals Club and the Orange Blossom Social Club. He was a member of the Elks #141 Club and the Widow Son Lodge #1. He was married to Dorothea Shaw Brown. He is survived by three sons Anthony, Howard (Stacey) and Christopher (Candice) Brown, one daughter Cynthia Brown-McLaurin, one sister Gwendolyn McBride-Bivens and one Brother Claude McBride. He is also survived by 4 step children Chyrel, Burnett, William and Alex, 11 grandchildren Christine Brown, Sarah Brown, James Brown III, Anthony Brown Jr, Avery (De’Anna) Brown, Adina Brown, Franklin McLaurin Jr, Thaddeus (Ebony) McLaurin, Jeremiah McLaurin, Xavier Brown and Christopher Howard , 18 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Along with his parents, he is predeceased by step father Claude McBride, sister Inez McBride, sons Captain James L Brown Jr of the US Army and Kenneth Brown and ex-wife Patricia Greene Brown.