Willie Brown of Racine, WI, formerly of Beloit, WI, entered into eternal rest Friday, June 4, 2010 at St. Luke South Shore Hospital, Cudahy, WI.
Willie was born, May 4, 1929 in Macon, MS to Reverend Adam and Matilda (Ballard) Brown, Sr. He attended schools in Macon, MS. He married Ella G. Fleming, May 9, 1948 to this union eight children were born. For the past forty-three years he lived in Racine with his companion, Leola Washington to this union two sons were born. Willie professed Christ at an early age at Zion-Field Baptist Church in Isola, MS under the leadership of Rev. Porter, and became a deacon under the leadership of his father. Upon his arrival in Beloit he joined New Zion Baptist Church and after moving to Racine Greater St. Luke Church under the leadership of Pastor Woods. He loved gardening, singing, and getting together with all of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Willie was a very humorous person all the way to the end. For many years he was a lead singer with the Heavenly Gospel Singers of Beloit and with other groups after moving to Racine. While Residing in Beloit he worked at Fairbanks and Beloit Corporation and retired from J.I. Case in Racine in 1994.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his mother, Matilda Brown-Ballard and step-father, Reverend Grandpa Ballard of Indianola, MS, children, Willie (Minerva) Fleming of San Jose, CA, Flora Hereford, Corrina (Bernard) Bray, Linda (Kenneth) Hereford, and Melvin (Sammie) Brown all of Beloit, Williella Bevineau of Rockford, IL, Julia Cobbs of Indianola, MS, Terry (Shesel) Washington-Brown of Oak Park, IL, Timothy Washington-Brown, John E. Washington, Jackie Washington, and Michael Washington all of Racine, WI, Cheryl Barr of Mississippi, and Steve Washington of Denver, CO, son-in-law, Dwayne Douglas of Beloit, fifty-one grandchildren, eighty-two great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, sisters, Sadie (Walter) Knight, Annie Brown, Bertha Vance, and Brenda Anderson all of Beloit, Lillie (Will) Hull of Chicago, IL, and Carol Cobbs of Oakland, CA, brothers, Milton (Cynthia) Brown, Adam (Oralee) Brown, Jr, Willie (Dorothy) Brown, and Earnest Brown all of Beloit, and Roy (Glenda) Brown of Oakland, CA, sisters-in-law, Atlay Owens, Sarah Fleming, and Della Fleming all of Long Beach, CA, and Jerome Fleming of Houston, TX, brothers-in-law, Rev. Carl (Savannah) Fleming of Canton, MS, Elvie Fleming of Long Beach, CA, Harvey (Wanda) Fleming, and Jerry Fleming both of Beloit, along with a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, special cousin, Henry Conner, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, daughter, Quincey Douglas, infant son, Dee, sister, Florence Johnson, mother and father-in-law, two sisters-in-law, and ten brothers-in-law. He will be fondly remember and sadly missed by all who knew him.
Funeral are 12:00 p.m. Friday, June 11, 2010 at New Zion Baptist Church in Beloit with visitation one hour prior to the service. Hansen-Gravitt Funeral in Beloit is honored to be assisting the family.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.hansengravitt.com.
Facts
Born: May 4, 1929Place of Birth: Macon, Mississippi
Death: June 4, 2010
Place of Death: Cudahy, Wisconsin
Services
Funeral Service
Friday
June 11, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
at
New Zion Baptist Church
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Viewing of Remains
Friday
June 11, 2010, 11:00 a.m.
- 12:00 p.m.
at
New Zion Baptist Church
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Burial
Friday
June 11, 2010, 1:30 p.m.
at
Eastlawn Cemetery
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