Deacon Joseph Allen Brown

I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.   II Timothy 4:7

Deacon Joseph Allen Brown, son of the late Deacon Philip S. Brown, Sr. and Deaconess Mattie Shine Brown, was born Monday, July 31, 1933, in Charleston, South Carolina.  He lived his life in full expression of a man who loved the Lord and life. The fourth of six children, Joseph was raised in a Christian home where he was taught the word of God and the importance of living a life of integrity, strong character, and excellence. He departed this life on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at Trident Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina, surrounded by his loving family.    

Joseph began his Christian faith walk as a child at Moncks Corner Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. I. L. Prioleau. He was a member of the Young Men Improvement Club; served as assistant secretary, and later served as church secretary for over 40 years; sang on the Junior Choir; and served as a part of the Kitchen Ministry.  Joseph was ordained and served faithfully as a deacon until his health began to decline.  He was named “Deacon Emeritus” on November 17, 2019.  While his membership, stewardship, and positions held was at the Moncks Corner Baptist Church, his service was to the body of Christ and mankind.  If someone needed help and it was in his power, help was given. 

His love for the earth and what it produced was nurtured by his grandfather, the late Chance Shine, and further developed by participation in 4-H with the late Roscoe C. Bacote. This passion not only provided sustenance for his family but also to the local community. 

Joseph loved his family, was a hard worker, and really loved preparing Soul Food Sunday meals every week for his family and many invited guests over the years. His culinary skills were legendary, and there was no shortage of special requests. Some of his favorite dishes was chitterling, banana pudding, chicken bog, barbeque pig feet, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, okra and tomato soup, catfish stew, stir-fry, and the list goes on.  He was an avid sports fan and a lover of music.  His favorite sports teams were the LA Lakers (basketball), Pittsburgh Steelers (football), and the LA Dodgers (baseball). Of course, no serious music lover’s list would be complete if the legendary Sam Cooke was not included.

Being blessed with many skills and rich life experiences, he felt compelled to share these insights with boys who would become men.  He volunteered as a board member of Boy Scout Troop #771 and Den Troop #771; and a parent/grandparent volunteer of Troop #777.  Many have succeeded and continue to impact the world.  Joseph was also a member of the Perry Hill Community Club, Antioch Baptist Association Deacon’s Auxiliary, Moncks Corner Lodge #323, Robert S. Wilkerson Consistory #220 (Orangeburg), and Jeddah Temple #160 (Orangeburg).

The quest for learning and optimizing his potential was a life-long quest.  Joseph began elementary school in Charleston, South Carolina but later moved with his family to Moncks Corner, South Carolina and began 2nd grade at Berkeley Training School and graduated in 1952.  He was a high school bus driver during his senior year at Berkeley Training.  Following graduation, Joseph attended South Carolina State College (now South Carolina State University) for two years then enlisted in the United States Air Force on March 1, 1954.  He served faithfully three years and received an honorable discharge on September 1, 1957.  Afterwards, Joseph enrolled in South Carolina Area Trade School (now Demark Technical College), Denmark, South Carolina, and received his plumbing certification in 1959. Over the next four decades, this skill provided for his family as well as blessed scores of families, friends, businesses and churches. Churches included Moncks Corner, Rock Hill, New Home and St. Stephen Baptist Churches.  He attended classes offered by the Morris College School of Religion at The Institute in Pineville, South Carolina.

On December 9, 1961, Joseph married the love of his life, Emily Jenkins, and their union was blessed with seven children.

Joseph began his civil service career as a Supply Clerk at the Naval Supply Center in Charleston, South Carolina. He retired December 1991 after 32 years of service. After retirement from the federal government, he drove bulk mail for the United States Postal Service and was an usher for the Citadel College football games. He worked part-time as a driver for Scott’s Mortuary, Moncks Corner, SC.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers; Philip Samuel Brown, Jr., Herbert Lee Brown, and Charles Warren Brown.

Those left to forever cherish his life and memories, his loving wife of 58 years, Emily J. Brown; his seven children, Allen N. Brown (Tawana) of Prince Fredrick, MD; Michelle Taylor (Sammie, Jr.) of Moncks Corner, SC; Michael Brown of Bowie, MD; Kevin J. Brown (Janita) of Summerville, SC; Philip S. Brown III (Sandra) of Upper Marlboro, MD; Altrise Brown-Weldon (Carl) of Bowie, MD and Melissa Latham of Moncks Corner, SC; 25 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one brother, Theodore R. Brown of Columbia, SC; one sister, Mildred B. Rembert of Decatur, GA; brothers-in-law, Joseph Jenkins (Janice) and Lawrence “Jay” Jenkins (Rosa) of Moncks Corner, SC; Benjamin Jenkins, Jr. (Jane) of Trenton, NJ, sisters-in-law, Alma Brown, Louise Muhammad of Moncks Corner, SC, Georgianna Jenkins of Charleston, SC, Hattie Jenkins of Burlington, NJ; and Bertha Jenkins, of Trenton, NJ; Godchildren, Victoria Kemp and Gerrell Poinsette; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.  Our hearts are eternally grateful for the dedicated and compassionate care provided by Mrs. Caroline Goodwine, Mr. Lawrence Eaddie, Mrs. Wilhelmenia Hearne, Mr. Larry Jenkins, Mr. Gilbert Whaley, the staff of Roper St. Francis (downtown), Ralph H. Johnson Medical Center, Trident Medical Center and Visiting Angels.

The Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, 11:00 a.m., at Nazareth Reformed Episcopal Church, 145 West End Drive, Moncks Corner, SC. THERE WILL BE NO VIEWING AFTER THE SERVICE. Burial will take place at Moncks Corner Baptist Church Cemetery, 496 E. Main Street, Moncks Corner, SC. Viewing will be on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, the Brown Family is requesting that memorial contributions be made to the family @ P.O. Box 141, Moncks Corner, SC 29461.