Obituaries
Obituary for Thomas Brown
Thomas Brown, 63, died September 21, 2017.
Thomas Louis Brown, was born May 3, 1954 to Thomas Brown Sr. and Inez Campbell in Germantown, Tennessee. He was called home on Thursday, September 21, 2017.
Thomas grew up a proud member of the Orange Mound community and graduated in 1972 from Melrose High School. He accepted Christ at an early age as a member of Coopers Chapel CME Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Thomas was a logistics analyst for Federal Express Corporation and retired after nearly 30 years of service. But music was his true love.
Thomas’s love for music began early in his life. As a child, he was given a saxophone (a gift from his grandmother, the late Estelle Brown Tuggle), and quickly became a musician in the making. As a member of the Melrose marching band, he swapped his saxophone for an electric guitar and began his journey through an impressive and crazy music career. While in high school, Thomas played guitar for the legendary Soul Children. Shortly after graduating from Melrose, he began playing for funk and R&B groups Featherstone, The BarKays and Kwick. In 1973, he joined the R&B group Ebonee Webb.
During his time with Ebonee Webb, Thomas travelled for performances in Africa, Japan, Canada, Korea and throughout the United States. He worked with artists and groups including Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, Ollie and the Nightingales, Little Milton, David Porter, The Emotions and Damascus Rose. His group, Ebonee Webb recorded albums with the U.S. label Capital Records and Tokyo based King Records. Later in his musical career, he joined Eye 2 Eye Band, which featured the late Ricky Strickland.
On July 26, 1985, Thomas reconnected with and married the love of his life, Delores, also known as “Sweetheart”. Together, they created a home with lots of love, music, food and laughter for their family and friends.
Thomas worshipped and served as band guitarist at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, and years later, at Christ Missionary Baptist Church. He loved helping young people at church learn guitar.
He is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Brown Sr.; his mother, Inez Campbell Hill; his sister Phyllis Hill; and his grandmother, Estelle Brown Tuggle.
Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife of 32 years, Delores; son, Michael Raiford; three daughters, Trina Brown, Kimberley Crutchfield (Dennis), and Rashonda Lewis (Peete); godson, Tyran Hart; stepmother Rose Marie Brown and stepfather Gene Hill Sr; two brothers Gene Anson Hill and Charles Brown; cousins, Robbie Sutorus (Tim) , Carole Ivory (Luther), Regina Campbell. 8 loving grandchildren, 2 sweet great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and extended family.
The funeral service will be held at Christ Missionary Baptist Church, 494 South Parkway East on Friday, September 29th at 11:00 am. Reverend Dr. Gina Stewart will officiate the service. Visitation will be held at Serenity Funeral Home at 1632 Sycamore View Road on Thursday, September 28th from 5pm-7pm.
Serenity Funeral Home (901) 379-0861
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Thomas Louis Brown, was born May 3, 1954 to Thomas Brown Sr. and Inez Campbell in Germantown, Tennessee. He was called home on Thursday, September 21, 2017.
Thomas grew up a proud member of the Orange Mound community and graduated in 1972 from Melrose High School. He accepted Christ at an early age as a member of Coopers Chapel CME Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Thomas was a logistics analyst for Federal Express Corporation and retired after nearly 30 years of service. But music was his true love.
Thomas’s love for music began early in his life. As a child, he was given a saxophone (a gift from his grandmother, the late Estelle Brown Tuggle), and quickly became a musician in the making. As a member of the Melrose marching band, he swapped his saxophone for an electric guitar and began his journey through an impressive and crazy music career. While in high school, Thomas played guitar for the legendary Soul Children. Shortly after graduating from Melrose, he began playing for funk and R&B groups Featherstone, The BarKays and Kwick. In 1973, he joined the R&B group Ebonee Webb.
During his time with Ebonee Webb, Thomas travelled for performances in Africa, Japan, Canada, Korea and throughout the United States. He worked with artists and groups including Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, Ollie and the Nightingales, Little Milton, David Porter, The Emotions and Damascus Rose. His group, Ebonee Webb recorded albums with the U.S. label Capital Records and Tokyo based King Records. Later in his musical career, he joined Eye 2 Eye Band, which featured the late Ricky Strickland.
On July 26, 1985, Thomas reconnected with and married the love of his life, Delores, also known as “Sweetheart”. Together, they created a home with lots of love, music, food and laughter for their family and friends.
Thomas worshipped and served as band guitarist at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, and years later, at Christ Missionary Baptist Church. He loved helping young people at church learn guitar.
He is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Brown Sr.; his mother, Inez Campbell Hill; his sister Phyllis Hill; and his grandmother, Estelle Brown Tuggle.
Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife of 32 years, Delores; son, Michael Raiford; three daughters, Trina Brown, Kimberley Crutchfield (Dennis), and Rashonda Lewis (Peete); godson, Tyran Hart; stepmother Rose Marie Brown and stepfather Gene Hill Sr; two brothers Gene Anson Hill and Charles Brown; cousins, Robbie Sutorus (Tim) , Carole Ivory (Luther), Regina Campbell. 8 loving grandchildren, 2 sweet great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and extended family.
The funeral service will be held at Christ Missionary Baptist Church, 494 South Parkway East on Friday, September 29th at 11:00 am. Reverend Dr. Gina Stewart will officiate the service. Visitation will be held at Serenity Funeral Home at 1632 Sycamore View Road on Thursday, September 28th from 5pm-7pm.
Serenity Funeral Home (901) 379-0861
Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
28
Sep
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Serenity Funeral Home
1638 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Service
Friday
29
Sep
11:00 AM
Christ Missionary Baptist Church
480 S. Parkweay E.
Memphis, TN 38106
Cemetery Details
Location
Memorial Park Southwoods
5484 Hacks Cross Road
Memphis, TN 38125
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