Funeral service for The Reverend Dr. Willie T. Brown will be at 12:00 p.m. Friday, May 21, 2021 at the Valhalla Memory Gardens Chapel of Love with The Reverend Dr. Mitchell M. Walker and The Reverend Dr. John L. Clay officiating. Entombment will immediately follow the service.  Public viewing will be Thursday, May 20, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Nelms Memorial Funeral Home.

The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Omega Ceremony will Friday, May 21, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Nelms Memorial Funeral Home Chapel..

Live Stream link for virtually viewing the funeral service: https://vimeo.com/552271038/022e24d73b

Obituary

A Life Well-Lived:  Devoted to God, Family, and Learning

Life is a process of adjustments from the cradle to the grave. (Willie T. Brown)

Excellence is never an accident.  It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives—choice, not chance, determines your destiny.  (Aristotle)

Willie T. Brown was born June 4, 1929 on the cusp of the Great Depression in rural Burkville, Alabama.  On May 8, 2021, in the comfort of his Huntsville home and surrounded by his loving family, he peacefully stepped from our presence to his eternal presence with his Lord.

He was the third of seven children and the first son born to the marriage of Tom and Clara Brown. He grew up and was nurtured under the guidance and discipline of his parents, the love of his six siblings (Daisy, Effie, Octavia, James, Norman, and John), and his extended family. It is in this strong family circle that he developed and cultivated his love for God, for family, and for lifetime learning. He received his foundational education in the Lowndes County, Alabama public schools.

Willie T. was led to faith in Jesus Christ at an early age in the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Burkeville, AL and that faith grew and became the anchor for his life.  From his youth, he was serious about God, family, and learning.  In fact, his siblings recall that as a child, Willie T. conducted worship services in their yard, and he was always the preacher!  He often emotionally recounted how his mother would place her seven children in a circle around her while she prayed for them.  Those prayer experiences served as the foundation for Willie T.'s pursuit of excellence in all areas of his life.

He was joined in marriage to Deloris Crook Brown on November 7, 1959 and together they cultivated a loving home and family for more than 55 years until her death on February 16, 2015. Their daughter Kimberla ("Kim"), son Byron, and their precious grandchildren were the joy of their lives.

Willie T. was a devoted husband and father, a caring grandfather and brother, a faithful friend, a good neighbor, and a thoughtful teacher/preacher/administrator.  In many ways, he was a modern-day Christian Renaissance man who was skilled in all the tasks he attempted and had wide-ranging knowledge in many fields. To put it simply, Willie T. was a charismatic Christian gentleman who did many things well—and did them all smoothly and with great efficiency.

Ordained in 1995 by the Huntsville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (CPCA), he served as Assistant Pastor of Church Street CPCA (1993-1998) and Pastor of the Bright Hope CPCA (1998-2001). Additionally, he faithfully served his denomination in many ways and on various levels in the local congregation, the Huntsville Presbytery, the Alabama Synod, and in the General Assembly. Among his passions in the local church were serving as Adult Sunday School Teacher, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent (1986-1998), and Chairman of Christian Education Committee (1987-1998) at Church Street CPCA.

He was a graduate of Alabama A & M University (AAMU), where he earned the B.S. degree in Mechanic Arts (1953) and the M.S. degree in Trade and Industrial Education (1964). Huntsville Bible College (HBC) recognized his distinguished achievements and unparalleled dedication by conferring upon him the Doctor of Divinity Degree. Even though Willie T. was a student of God's word from his youth, to prepare for the Christian ministry, he pursued further studies at Heritage Bible College in Huntsville, AL.

Following completion of his baccalaureate degree at AAMU, he served in the United States Army (1953-1955) and was honorably discharged.  As he transitioned back to civilian life, he was co-owner of Brown & Sharp Garage in Montgomery, AL (1955-1956) and worked for George's Auto Service in Detroit, MI (1956-1958). During his undergraduate years at AAMU, he financially supported himself by using his barbering talents.

His distinguished career as an educator spanned more than half a century and was dedicated to fostering excellence in students at Cobb Avenue High School (Anniston, AL) 1958-1966; Alabama A&M University (Assistant Professor/Teacher Educator: 1966-1974); J.F. Drake Technical College (Dean of Instruction: 1974-1990); and Huntsville Bible College/formerly Huntsville Baptist Institute (Dean of Instruction: 2000-2012).

Willie T. demonstrated the same high energy and dedication to his post-retirement work at Huntsville Bible College as he had done in his earlier career positions.  He systematically and expertly led Huntsville Bible College through the rigorous initial accreditation process of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), climaxing in the college receiving full accreditation in 2007.

Across the years, he held membership in various educational and professional organizations including National Education Association, Alabama Education Association, Alabama Vocational Association, Phi Delta Kappa Honor Society, Iota Lambda Sigma Professional Fraternity and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

He has been honored with several business, professional, and leadership awards for his publications, presentations and consultantships.

The secret of joy in work is contained in one word―excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it." (Pearl S. Buck). Willie T. enjoyed life and he skillfully blended work and leisure: Barber, Auto Mechanic, Preacher, Pastor, Teacher, Administrator, Dean, Consultant, Entrepreneur, Barber, Comedian, Storyteller par excellence, BBQ Grill Master, Gardener, Fashionable Dresser—and the list goes on.  With high intention he designed and taught a Bible Class specifically for young men in the community—because he saw a great need.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Deloris Crook Brown, one brother Norman Brown, and one sister Effie Reese.  He leaves to cherish his memories:  his devoted children Kimberla Brown-Barley (Bryan) and Byron (Tiffany) Brown; six precious grandchildren: Allexey (Alyssa) Barley, Arianna, Avangelos, Alannah Barley and Avion and Ajee Brown; and one precious great-granddaughter Aaniyah Barley; two sisters: Octavia Seaborn of Birmingham, AL and Daisy Jackson of Montgomery, AL; two brothers: James (Maggie) Brown of Montgomery, AL and John Brown, of Los Angeles, CA.

Every man leaves something behind when he dies.  Willie T. Brown—this classic Christian Renaissance man leaves much …. his children, grandchildren, great-granddaughter; brothers and sisters; family and friends; career accomplishments, students inspired, lives touched, lessons taught, sermons preached, and sermons lived.