Deacon Grady Brown

On Thursday, January 24, 2019, Grady Brown, Jr., departed this life. He was born in Ware Place, South Carolina, on May 23, 1941. Grady was the eldest son and third of eight children born to Grady Brown, Sr., and Loree Johnson Brown.

He graduated from Bryson High School in 1959. He cherished his acceptance letter from Tennessee State University, although he decided to enlist in the military and attend Greenville Technical College. Grady was a decorated Army Sergeant and served tours of duty in Vietnam and The Republic of Panama. He met the love of his life in Panama, Jeanette Cobham Brown, and decided to re-enlist so he could marry her and bring her to the United States. Their  55-year union produced four children.

Grady was a father figure to many. He instilled the seed of entrepreneurship in many by owning his own carpentry business. His motto was “No job is too small”.  Grady was considered an icon in the community for public service and activism. He was a deacon at Shady Grove Baptist church, two time Commander of VFW Post 6734, a Mason, a Shriner, a member of the Elk’s lodge, recently inducted into an athletic hall of fame, and awarded a “Living Legend” award.

He loved baseball and made it through first and second tryouts for a professional baseball team. Grady traveled the world: Spain, Paris, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Las Vegas, to name a few.

He is survived by his four children, Bernard Brown of Greenville, Maxine (Mitch) Hunt of Powdersville, Ivette “Ivy” (Perry) Bowens and Miranda (Stephan) Harris, both of Greenville; four sisters, Doris McCowan of San Diego, CA, Edna Hugh, Eula Brown and Loreina Brown, all of Greenville; two brothers, Charles Brown and James C. (Pat) Brown, both of Greenville; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a host of other relatives and friends.