Rev. A. Brown

Our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle went home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 22, 2005. Rev. Chester A. Brown was born September 14, 1930 in Headland, Alabama to the union of Caldwell and Atline. Rev. Brown served in the Armed Forces of the United States, was awarded the Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal during the Korean Conflict. On March 24, 1954, he was honorably discharged from the Armed Services. He accepted Christ at St. Peter A.M.E. Church in Headland Alabama. He married Lessie M. Reaves in June of 1953. Rev. Brown was appointed a Steward of St. Peter A.M.E. Church on February 6, 1959, received his Certificate of License in March, 1960 from St. Peter A.M.E. Church in Headland, Ala. Rev. R. A. Daly, Presiding Elder, Rev. C. B. West, Pastor. He became an Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church on September 19, 1975 through the South Alabama Conference, under the leadership of Bishop Vinton R. Anderson. After being called to the ministry, Rev. Brown pastored many churches, including Saint Luke, White Oak, Hartford Circuit, Madrid Circuit A.M.E. Church, St. Phillips A.M.E. Church, Cottonwood, Ala. and William Chapel A.M.E., Gordon, Ala. Rev. Brown served his last appointment well until his health failed. Because of deteriorating health, he relocated to Saginaw, Michigan in October 2004 to live with his daughter. Rev. Brown received many honorable certificates and was affiliated with many organizations. He was a member of the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren of St. Joseph Lodge No. 444, of free and accepted Masons. He retired from the Board of Education in Alabama. He leaves to cherish his memory three daughters, Mary Alice Hollis, Gracie M. Brown-Witherspoon, Shender (Regimond) McKinney, all of Saginaw, Mich.; four grandchildren, Tonja S. Brown, Devin Hollis, Saginaw, Mich., Deirdre (Robert) Smith, Devona Hollis, both of Atlanta, Georgia; three great-grandchildren, Jevon Hollis, Saginaw, Michigan, Thomas Jamari Smith, Amaria Blossom Smith of Atlanta, Georgia; one adopted son, Charlie Scruggs of Atlanta, Georgia; a niece, Ethel (Willie) Warren and family of Saginaw, Michigan; special niece, MaeRettia Reeves of Dothan, Alabama; many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends, Rev. John (Linda) Williams, Mrs. Willie D. Hines and a host of Pastor Associates and friends. Rev. Brown was preceded in death by his wife, Lessie Brown; his parents; two daughters, Anna and Charlotte; one son, Chester Jr.; two sisters, Girlie B. and Gracie Lee; one son-in-law, Thomas Hollis and Mazie Lee Mathis.