Ray Brown, 68

On August 12, 2017 God took his fallen soldier, 68-year-old Ray Douglas Brown, ISG retired, to his heavenly home.

Ray was born January 10, 1949 in Portageville to Mary Lee Jones and Roland Brown, Sr.

Preceding him in death were his grandmother, Mary Bennett; his father, Roland Brown, Sr.; his mother, Mary Lee Jones; and a brother, Roland Brown, Jr.

Ray attended and graduated from Portageville High School in 1967, which he helped to integrate. He also attended Central High School in Hayti. He ran track, and played football. He accepted Christ as his Savior at New Bethel Church in Portageville.

In 1967 Ray joined the U.S. Army in Fort Leonard Wood. He went to Korea and Germany during this time. He served his country in the U.S. Army for 25 years, and served it well. Although he retired frrom the Army in 1989 as an E8 Master Sergeant, he never considered himself a civilian. He also retired from the Veterans Administration after 16 years. For the last 27 years, Ray has resided in the Temple, Texas area.

He leaves to mourn his loss his loving wife of 26 years, Shirley; three children, Kevin of Harker Heights, Texas, R'netta of Dallas, Texas, and Cynitha Easely of Cameron, N.C.; three brothers, Robert (Fannie) Brown of Chicago, Ill., Larry (Mattie) Broden of Portageville, and Robert Earl Brown of Waco, Texas; six sisters, Joelean Lewis of Phoenix, Az., Allean Mosby of Los Angeles, Calif., Maine (Phil) Henry of Chicago, Angelis Jones of Portageville, Bertha (LaShawn) Moore of Lilbourn, and Sandra Jones of Potageville; 19 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; as well as his long-time friend and golf partner, Joe Massey; a multitude of friends and family; and his military family.

Ray was interred August 23, 2017 in the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.

Branford/Dawson Funeral Home of Temple, Texas was in charge of arrangements.