James Witt (Jimmy) Brown, 1980-1991

At the memorial service for Jimmy Brown in Williamsburg United Methodist Church on March 5, 1991, a statement of remembrance, written by his daughters, was read to the congregation. In the opening paragraph they wrote these words about their father:

We asked that the love chapter of I Corinthians be read in this service because we can pay no higher tribute to our father than to say that he exemplified the ideas expressed by St. Paul in those verses. To say that "Love is patient and kind… not arrogant or rude… does not insist on its own way…"  is to describe Jimmy Brown. LOVE was a major theme of his life.

All of us who knew this strong, kind and gentle man would agree that he touched our lives repeatedly with the touch of caring love. James Witt Brown was born in Schuyler, Virginia, on December 7, 1908. He grew up in Richmond, Virginia. After graduation

from John Marshall High School in that city, he attended Randolph-Macon College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, and Duke University where he received the Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Arts degrees. He was ordained a deacon in the Virginia Annual Conference in 1932 and received elder's orders in 1934.

During his senior year at Randolph-Macon, Jimmy met Mildred Garrett from Cumberland County at Monumental Church in Richmond where Jimmy had been a member from childhood. Three years later, on June 11, 1932, they were married, and there followed 59 years of joyous life together.

During 14 of his 42 years of active ministry, Jimmy served as pastor of Williamsburg United Methodist Church (1948-1958 and 1970-1974). He also served congregations in the Richmond, Petersburg, Arlington and Peninsula districts. Since their retirement in 1974, Mildred and Jimmy made their home in the beautiful and historic city of Williamsburg. Their life was blessed with three lovely daughters, Beverly Peace of Mission Viejo, CA, Susan Brown of Richmond, and Cathy Southwell of Seaford, and four grandchildren.

Jimmy and I became close friends, as well as colleagues in ministry, when we served together as pastors in Williamsburg Church. His sermons were strong and prophetic in content but always delivered with pastoral sensitivity. Those gifts of wit and humor, which made conversation with him delightful and his countenance sparkle, also added great interest and vitality to his preaching. He was a true friend, a valued counselor and wise mentor in the things of faith and life.

In the closing paragraph of the statement of remembrance prepared by his daughters, they paid the following tribute to his faith:

We know Daddy was ready to leave this world, to experience what he called the adventure of death, and await whatever God has in store. During his last weeks, he frequently asked, in reference to his care, "What's the next step?" We are sure our heavenly Father, the great caregiver, is now answering that ultimate question, and Dad is responding with joy.

We shall miss that touch of joy and love which he brought to all whom he met, but no one who knew Jimmy Brown will ever forget him.

Thanks be unto God for blessing the world with the gift of James Witt Brown.

-C.P. Minnick Jr.