Obituary

Apostle Joseph Lee Brown was born September 17, 1946, in Panama City, Florida, to the late Dazie Brown Harris and Elder Zed Brown, World War II Veteran, and founder of the first Church of God in Christ in Tallahassee, Florida.

Education

Apostle Brown was educated at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, majoring in Mathematics and minoring in Computer Programming. He continued his studies at General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan, earning a degree in Marketing Management. He was recognized in the Panama City News Herald in 1967 for an automobile industry innovation that he created. Apostle Brown also studied at the Sales Analysis Institute in Chicago, Illinois in Human Relations, and attended the University of North Florida where he majored in Psychology. His educational achievements also include a Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Theology from the International Bible Institute and Seminary of Orlando, Florida.

Childhood Training and Commitment

Apostle Brown was reared in a Christian home with siblings who loved and admired him for his love and compassion. He was spiritually influenced by the teachings of his mother and father, and pastor, the late Elder M.B. Carr. At the young age of 16, he confessed Salvation and fully accepted the ministry’s call in 1970. His commitment was total and unwavering. Like Barnabas, he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith - faith that never wavered; subsequently, a great multitude of people were brought to the Lord through his ministry.

Family

Apostle married his sweetheart, the late Dr. Edna Scott Brown on March 20, 1970, and their romance lasted 42 years. Through this union, he was blessed with six wonderful, high-achieving, God-fearing children, with successful careers in the bishopric, evangelism, medicine, law, business, education, and the military. They honored and respected him. He was also blessed with 12 talented grandchildren. Being a grandfather came naturally to him and brought him much joy and happiness. His grands lovingly called him “Papa”.

Interest and Patriarchal Role

Apostle Brown’s interests were diverse. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, singing to his family, and cooking breakfast every morning for his spoiled child (Johann). He was like a father to the entire Brown family, and he was also a spiritual father to so many others.

Civic and Community Service

As a civil rights activist, he was the first African American male to integrate the city bus system in Panama City, Florida. As a civic leader, he was a member of Mission Tallahassee, an interdenominational faith alliance. He also served on the board of directors for Premier Bank. Apostle Brown was passionate about providing shelter for the homeless and rehabilitation for the formally incarcerated. He provided employment and training to help integrate them back into society. Before Farm Share was enacted locally, Apostle Brown transported truckloads of fresh produce from Georgia to Tallahassee and partnered with Publix grocery stores to distribute food to the local community.

Ministry

Apostle Brown’s work in the ministry was expansive and international, spanning more than 60 years. He began his ministry as the assistant pastor to the late Elder Owen Smith, founder of University Church of God In Christ and received the benefits of his vast reservoir of wisdom. Subsequently, in 1995, he founded University Ministries International where he served as Pastor and Overseer, creating innovative programs for university students and the community-at-large. He also served as the presiding prelate of the North American Outreach Fellowship International (NAOFI), and the Chief Apostle for the Global Evangelistic Outreach Network. Apostle Brown was known for appointing and supporting women in ministry, and for his faith and anointing. He traveled all over the world releasing healing and miracles in the name of Jesus, and witnessed the power of answered prayers, many were delivered and set free.

He taught, trained, and conducted seminars and conferences to equip men and women of God for Kingdom work. He fed the hungry, clothed the naked, gave to the needy, and cared for widows and orphans. His ministry touched thousands in 49 US states and several countries abroad; Nassau, Bahamas; Niagara Falls, Canada; Israel; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Seoul, Korea; Lagos, Nigeria; London, England; Tijuana, Mexico; Taipei, China; and Muar, Malaysia.

Dr. Brown demonstrated apostolic leadership, prophetic utterance, expansive evangelistic outreach, effective teaching, and pastoral covering and care. He demonstrated spiritual intelligence by operating with powerful apostolic authority. He was a prayer warrior and General in the Army of the Lord! “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace” Psalm 37:37. Apostle was also preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dr. Edna Brown, and five siblings, the late Zed Brown, the late Julius Brown, the late Lou Ethel Pope, the late Jamie Mae Bennet, and the late Annie Ruth Jones.

Apostle Joseph Lee Brown leaves to praise his legacy, his children: Dr. Joedrecka Brown Speights (Gregory), Bishop Joel Brown (Tiffanie), Minister Jodie Brown, Minister Johann Brown (Danielle), Evangelist Michael Brown, and Sister Shayla Hayes (Justin). Twelve Grandchildren, Anaia, Joseph, Kailyn, Joshua, Johnathan, Michael, Adrianna, Michael Jr., Jonathan, Luca, Lilliana, and Jordan. Thirteen Siblings, Missionary Annie Ola Rouse, Dr. Hosea Brown (Kathryn), Minister Eara Simpson, Missionary Cynthia Wade, Elder Vera McNeil, Minister Lundra Jefferson, Elder Clinton Brown (Cynthia), First Lady Marvetta Nesbitt (Wales, III), Sister Sylenthia Demeritt (Lionel), Missionary Edna Madry, Sister Cora Jones, Bro. Jeremiah Brown, and First Lady Margaree Robinson (Bryant), Two god sisters, Evangelist Shelly Barber (Kevin), and Sister Tina Reynolds.