Deacon Earnest Brown, Jr.

Deacon Earnest Brown, Jr. of Tampa, FL, passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Brown Memorial Church of God in Christ, 2313 E. 27th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605 with Superintendent Antonio R. Hawkins, Officiating; Bishop Anthony W. Gilyard, Eulogist.  Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610.

Deacon Earnest Brown, Jr. was born January 17, 1944, in Brunswick, Georgia, to the late Ernest Brown Sr. and Theola Davis-Coston. For much of his early childhood, Earnest and his brother, Robert, were raised in Dunnellon, Florida, by their aunt, the late Flora Shannon.

Earnest moved to Tampa, Florida, where he continued his education while residing with his father and stepmother, Rosa Lee Brown. He successfully transitioned into the Hillsborough County School System and attended Blake High School, graduating with the Class of 1963.  Following graduation, Earnest quickly entered the workforce, gaining employment with Shuron Continental. With a desire to further his skills and provide for his family, he pursued technical training and successfully completed school to become a certified air conditioning mechanic. His hard work and skill opened the door to a historic opportunity when he was hired by the Hillsborough County Public Schools, becoming the first black air conditioning mechanic employed by the district. Earnest faithfully served the school district for 27 years before retiring in 2006.

Deacon Earnest Brown, Jr. accepted Christ at an early age and dedicated his life to God and ministry.  He was a faithful member and Deacon of Brown Memorial Church of God in Christ for 28 years and served until his health began to decline.  During his life, he had the honor of also becoming a published author in 2006, with the release of his book, “From Birth Until This Appointed Time He Has Kept Me”, a biographical sketch of his life. 

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Ernest Brown Sr. and Theola Coston; stepmother, Rosa Lee Brown; brothers, Joe Brown, Tyrone E. Brown, and Robert E. Brown; sisters, Lashaune Brown-Reed and Carrie Hogan; grandson, K’yonte Brown; great-grandson, Jarimiah Deion Woodard.

Earnest was loved by his family and left to cherish his memories: his beloved wife, Patricia A. Brown (Sweet Thang); his children, Sabrina Bivins (Levell), Ernest Brown III (Minetha), and Quatrina Donnings (Marcus), all of Tampa, FL; bonus children, DaMarrius McCullough of Zephyrhills, FL, and DJ McCullough of Zephyrhills, FL; siblings, Qwendolyn Gibson, of Laplace, LA, Rhonda Campbell, Crystal Brown, both of Tampa, FL,  Kevin Coston, of Queen, NY, and Jackie Coston of North Carolina;  grandchildren, Sylvia Stephens, Robert Austin, DaVonta Mitchell, Keri Mitchell, Kayla Mitchell, Kyvarez Brown, Kyshonti Brown, DaJuan McCullough, Artavia Alexander,  Ereland, Derricka Harrison, and Davarius Harrison; Godchildren, Sedrianna Jones, Tommie Parker, Terrance Parker, and Curtis Jackson; close family friends, Elder Willis Crum, Charles Cochran, Deacon Willie Jackson, Mickey (Barber), and Gloria DeLaughter Jones. Deacon Earnest Brown Jr. also leaves to cherish a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends who will miss him greatly.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners

www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

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