Arzabrara Brown

Arzabrara Brown of Rockford departed this earthly life on October 14, 2025. Born on May 17, 1949, in Earl, Arkansas, he was the son of William Henry and Mattie Dell Brown. Arzabrara moved to Rockford in 1991 from Arkansas. He married Phyllis Whittier on May 18, 2012. Arzabrara worked as a custodian at Fairview Nursing Home and St. James Catholic School. He was a member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church and attended schools in Arkansas.

Arzabrara leaves behind his beloved wife Phyllis; sons Chris and Erick Brown of Rockford, and Derrick Brown of Milwaukee, WI; daughters Kimberly Brown and Danielle (Steven) Bivens of Rockford, IL; 12 grandchildren and one great-grandson; stepchildren Chencia Reynolds, Cameron Whittier, and Kyra Whittier; five step-grandchildren; brothers Hershel (Amina) Brown of Brockton, MA, and Ray (Gloria) Brown of Chicago, IL; sisters Helen Whitfield of Park Forest, IL, Cathadale Drake of Detroit, MI, Mattie B. Daniel of Brockton, MA, Dorothy L. Smith of Atlanta, GA, Shirley Claybrook of Chicago, IL, Melvina (Benjamin) Gifford of Dorchester, MA, Faye Brice of Milwaukee, WI, and Susie L. Brown of Mattitan, MA. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, brother James Brown, and sister Della Hoard.

Services will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home Inc., 200 N. Johnston Ave. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.