Joe Willie Brown

Joe Willie Brown 74, affectionately known as "Deddy" to his children and "B Poppa" to his grand and great-grandchildren transitioned from this life on Saturday, May 4, 2019, surrounded by his family. He was born on May 21, 1944, in Dodgeville Mississippi. The last child born to Edmond and Nettie Will Hargrove- Brown. He was a loving, dedicated and an all-around good man to all the knew and loved him. When I say dedicated. I mean dedicated. Mr. Brown went back to high school in 1981 and after 5 long years of night school, academic studies graduated, and walked Field Strip Field with the class of 1986! 

Joe Willie, of Benton Harbor Michigan, was retired and loved going to the casino. He enjoyed the musical sounds of the machines and playing the lottery especially when it went "ching-ching" or when he made the special trips to Grand Rapids. He was previously employed at Auto Specialist and The Benton Harbor Area Schools.

Joe Willie accepted Christ at an early age and reunited with Him at St. Mark Baptist Church under the late Rev. John Price in the early 1990s.

Joe Willie leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 49 years Beulah May Brown of Benton Harbor, MI; Daughters Kimberly Brown- West of Knoxville, TN; Carla (Charles) Brown- London and Jolin Brown, of Benton Harbor, MI; Sons Joseph (Stephanie) Brown of Knoxville, TN; and Anthony Smith of Benton Harbor, MI; ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; In-laws Virgie Atkinson, Emma King, Bobbie Ray Brown, and Joel Brown of Benton Harbor, MI; Patrica (Oscar) Beecham of Dayton, TX; Yvonne (Micheal) Mitchell- Johnson of Wyoming, MI;   Clarence (Theresa) Brown Sr. and Johnny Brown, of Grand Rapids, MI; Beatrice Brown of Washington DC; and a host of family and friends.

Joe Willie was proceeded in death by his parents Edmond and Nettie Brown; Brothers Jessie Sr., Charlie, Tillman, and Willie Brown of Benton Harbor, MI; and sister Lula Mae Johnson of Benton Harbor, MI. In-Laws JB & Izona Brown, Nelson Johnson, Preston Tillman, Henry Atkinson, Thurman King Sr., Leotis West Jr., Mildred, and Darlene Brown; and a very special nephew Jessie Brown Jr all of Benton Harbor, MI.

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