Austin Brown Obituary

CHAPLAIN AUSTIN BROWN, 77 Gainesville - Chaplain Austin Brown passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at his residence in Gainesville, FL. Raised in Chiefland, FL, Brown served as a chaplain with the Florida Department of Corrections for 33 years. Known as a diligent student and teacher of the Bible, Chaplain Brown dedicated his life to sharing the love of Jesus with prisoners, youth, and churches across America and around the world. Chaplain Brown is survived by his wife of 32 years, Jeanette S. Brown of Gainesville; his four daughters, JaWanda Thacker of Orlando, FL, Austine Brown Rawllins of Durham, NC, Jeanelle Brown of Chicago, IL, and Rosa Lee Brown of Saint Petersburg, FL; and four grandchildren, Jocelyn, Brianna, Tenae, and Chandler. A Celebration Service will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 11 am at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 2505 NE 8th Avenue, Gainesville, FL with Rev Samuel Jones, Jr. and Rev Donnell Sanders officiating. The Memorial Service and Burial will be held Sunday, April 22 at 3pm at Dunklin Memorial Camp in Okeechobee, FL. Arrangements are under the supervision of the WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOMES, Gainesville, FL. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Chaplain Austin Brown Prison Fund, c/o Dunklin Memorial Camp, 3342 SW Hosanna Lane, Okeechobee, FL 34974. Please note on the memo of the check: Chaplain Austin Brown Prison Fund. John 3:16, 17 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. For Further Information Williams-Thomas Downtown (352) 376-7556

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Published by Gainesville Sun from Apr. 15 to Apr. 16, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Austin Brown

9 Entries

Mile Marriaga

April 20, 2007

Hi, my name is mile marriaga, i am living in Colombia and i´m working in a refuge place where i can feeling the God love.

Dunklin Memorial Church Family

April 20, 2007

From all your friends and family at Dunklin Memorial Camp: We want you all to know how special your family is to us and that you are being lifted up in prayer. We have so many precious memories of Austin. Homecoming won't ever be the same without him. We know that He and Al Cross will be arm in arm leading the alumni choir on the other side in Amazing Grace and I'll Fly Away.
Chaplain Brown has left quite a legacy of love down here in this old swamp and we will always cherish the friendship of his family. May God Bless You All.

Johnnie Phillips

April 17, 2007

To my sister and nieces:
Austin was such an inspiration to me as I've tried to imitate him as he imitated Christ. He had such a love for his family but most of all he shared his love for the Lord with us all. I will always cherish his memory and look forward to seeing him again. We can all rejoice in knowing that absent from the body, present with the Lord!

Sherite Thomas

April 17, 2007

Mrs. Brown & Family,

It was a pleasure knowing Chaplain Brown. He always had encouraging words to say and loved talking about the Lord. The last conversation I had with him was about a month before he stopped working. He was talking about his family and was telling me how important you all are to him and how his illness has brought his family even closer together. Even though he wasn't feeling well that day he never complained about what he was going through. He touched the lives of many, many people and he will truly be missed. Our prayers are with you and your family. God Bless!

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Sammie Martin

April 17, 2007

Aunt Jeanette,
"Look to the hills from whence cometh your help." We loved Uncle Austin but God loved him best. Sammie Brown-Martin and Family
Rockledge, Florida

Richard Prentiss

April 17, 2007

Ms Brown & family:

Chaplain Austin Brown was a great chaplain and most important--a man who loved Jesus and his fellow man.
He was a terrific example for many of the "DOC" chaplains through the years. My prayers are with you during this time.

Richard Prentiss
FDOC chaplain(retired)

Shanele McNeil

April 16, 2007

Aunt Jeanette, our prayers and thoughts are with you, Jawanda, Austine, Jeanelle and Rosa. Our family has lost a great man and heaven has gained.
- Shanele Brown McNeil & family

Joanne Elbon

April 16, 2007

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2007

Joanne Elbon

April 16, 2007

Jeannette I remember the first time i met Brother Austin at ncbc and he had a habit of hugging everybody and color was never discussed. he loved everybody!!! and i was fortunate enought to be a receiver of many of those hugs. HE will be missed. our loss is Heaven's gain. my love to you and the girls.

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