Joel Earl Brown was born February 11, 1940 in Gulfport, Mississippi to William Earl & Minnie Lois Brown. He received his ultimate healing on Friday, October 14, 2016 in DeRidder, Louisiana.  And his Lord said, “well done good and faithful servant; …enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”  Matthew 25:23 KJV

Joel’s first marriage gave him three sons whom he loved deeply until his last breath:  Mike (Donna) Brown, Matt Brown and Andy Brown, all of Meridian, MS.  In 1986, he married Anne D. Hale Brown and acquired four bonus children:  daughters, Corinne (Eugene) Broxson, Leesville, LA, Alison Hale of Kilaeau, Hawaii, Kelly (Bill) Morse of Ballwin, Missouri; son Clark Hale, Jr. (Melanie) of RoundRock, TX. Until his last moments, Joel never distinguished those bonuses as step children.  Mr. Brown considered himself blessed to be called Poppa Joel by 11 grandchildren:  Jake Brown and Alli Brown of Pensacola, FL, Michael Brown of Meridian, MS, Preston Broxson of Leesville, LA, Sarah (Robert) Ellis of Jasper, TX, Jordan, Brooke and Cody Hale of RoundRock, TX, Emily Morse of Tampa, FL, James Morse and Maggie Morse of Ballwin, MO; and his one great grandson, Owen Ellis of Jasper, TX.

Mr. Brown was preceded in death by his wife Anne D. Brown, parents and brother, Bill Brown. In addition to his children, grandchildren, and great grandson, he is survived by his sister, Era (Les) Dennis of Anchorage, Alaska; sisters-in-law, Retta Brown of Piedmont, GA, Laura Hataway of Belleville, IL, Carolyn (Joey) Liles of Pensacola, FL and Sue R. Dailey of Fairhope, AL.  Additional survivors include his Alabama Sweetheart and Special Lady friend Lavin Rowe of Florence, AL.  Family survivors, Clark and Dianne Hale of McComb, MS and best friends, Jerry and Patti Gann of Guin, AL.

Of the Methodist faith, Mr. Brown was a former member of the First United Methodist Church – Guin, AL and current member of First United Methodist Church of DeRidder, LA.  In Guin, he was an active member of the Methodist men group and was a certified Methodist Lay Speaker.  Joel Brown’s life was all about helping others, he worked tirelessly in both his professional career and private life with that goal in mind.  Joel was a man who believed in serving.  He lived well, he loved much and he finished the course of his life.

The family of Joel Brown would like to thank those who have helped care for him in the past few years:  staff of Westwood Manor & Rosepine Nursing Homes ; Jessica Smith Roberts; Susan Victor; Byrd Hospital; Dr. Nicole Churchman and staff of Rosepine, LA ; Hospice of Leesville; Kesa and staff of Ideal Health Mart; staff and therapists of DeQuincy Home Health of DeRidder; Life at Home Agency; Susan Casey (our Angel);  Tri Parish Rehab Hospitals; Tiffany Crumpler; DeRidder First Methodist Church, Lindsey Midkiff; lastly, family and staff of Myers Colonial Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, it was Joel Brown’s wish to help others through these ministries.   (1) Through Guin First United Methodist Church:  P.O. Box 515 Guin, Alabama 35563; any of these ministries: CELEBRATE RECOVERY, Anne and Joel Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Nauvoo UMC Mission, Guin Backpacks and Beyond, Guin Food Pantry (2) Christian’s Place Mission associated with Nauvoo United Methodist Church – P.O. Box 365 Nauvoo, Alabama 35578.  (3) Local Donations may also be made to DeRidder First United Methodist Church Missions Fund -  406 Shirley Street DeRidder, LA. 70634.  If you are interested in any of the mentioned charities and would like more information, please call (337) 463-6271.

Joel Brown’s Memorial Service will be Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 2:00 pm in Guin, Alabama at First United Methodist Church of Guin.  Through this means friends and loved ones may join us to honor the life and legacy of Joel Earl Brown.