James R. Brown

A LIFE FILLED WITH LOVE James Reuben Brown was born January 22, 1948 in Blakely, (Early County) Georgia to the parents of Andrew and Melvina Norfus Brown. James died March 27, 2020 at home with his wife, Cheryl, in Stone Mountain, GA at the age of 72. From the very beginning, James was filled with a lifetime of love from his doting parents and siblings. Through parental influence, all of the Brown children would become a close-knit, God-loving, family loving, people loving, people serving group who would pass this lesson on to their children. At an early age, they all joined Jerusalem African Methodist Episcopal Church in Blakely. James was educated in Blakely where he completed Washington High School in 1965. He received his BA degree from Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama and a member of the Atlanta Tuskegee Alumni Club for 30 plus years. At Tuskegee he became a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. James was serious about his membership in the fraternity. He worked hard for community improvement and made efforts to seek out talented young African American men and women to receive national recognition. James was a man who believed in the principles of his country. He began his military career as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. He served as a professor of ROTC at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff where he met and married Dr. LeJeune Hickson. He then moved his family to Mannheim, Germany where he served his country and traveled extensively throughout Europe. James ended his military career as a Major. After retiring from the military, James moved to Atlanta and joined St. Philip African Methodist Episcopal Church where he met Cheryl Peterson and the couple was married in 2003 in his home town of Blakely, Ga. James served in many capacities at St. Philip. He enjoyed his duties as an usher and former President of the Mattie Booker Usher Board and his work with the credit union at the church. James was employed with the Internal Revenue Service and found a way to continue that work in the church. He served as a volunteer tax preparer at St. Philip for more than 30 years. James was an avid duplicate bridge player and would travel throughout the United States and nearby coastlines to enjoy the game. During any game he had a knack for memorizing cards that had been played and cards that were yet to be played; he could almost sense which cards the other players were holding. Filled with the love of God, James held fast to the first and second Commandments. Filled with the love of humanity, James lived by the Golden Rule. Filled with the love of family, James committed himself to his wife, his siblings, and the children that he raised. James will always be remembered as one who loved others and gave generously of himself in a Godly way. James was predeceased in death by his parents, 3 brothers, Walter Cook, Raymond Brown, and Gregory March. Survivors include his wife, Cheryl; two sons, Cyrus Ellison (Bridgett) of Orlando and Darren Peterson of Stone Mountain two daughters, Tia Gissendaner of Powder Springs. Ga. Ingrid Ellison, MD of Atlanta ; 4 grandchildren; Cyrus W. Ellison, Troi McClure, Elise Ellison, and Ethan Ellison; one brother, George Brown (Annette) ; seven sisters, Gladys Jones (WC), Verna Hazel (Eugene), Janie B. Zackry (Jerry), Dorothy “Cookie” Lucas, Dorcas Maxine Colvard (Robert), Mandy B. Moses (Marzell) and Cathryn J. Brown; three brothers in law, Arrasheed Abdullah (Daiiyah), Baron Gissendaner (Deborah), Kenneth Gissendaner (Petunia) ; three sisters in law, Barbara Peterson (Charles), Tillie Morris (Harold) and Fannie M. Reid; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Please share and click on the link to view the service https://vimeo.com/402656850/0b86fb9f0f

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James R. Brown

January 22, 1948 - March 27, 2020