Elroy Brown

Elroy Brown was born Oct. 24, 1960, in Osceola to the late Amos Brown Sr. and Evelyn Tyler Brown. He attended Osceola High School, where he played football, basketball and ran track. He graduated in 1979 and received a scholarship to play football at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He graduated ASU in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Elroy was a member of Mt. Pleasant M.B. Church in Osceola, under the leadership of Rev. A.J. Jones. He later joined First Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Odale Jones. There, he was ordained as a deacon and was also a member of the Minute Men ensemble and the mass choir. Elroy was a dedicated member of the First Missionary Baptist Church family until he transitioned to his new home.

Elroy worked for Nucor Yamato Steel for 18 years. After a brief retirement, he served in many positions that suited his servant's heart. He was the Mississippi County Coalition for a Tobacco Free Arkansas chairman/coordinator, served as the Boys and Girls Club director of Blytheville and the Parks and Recreation director for the City of Blytheville. Elroy has many accomplishments and has received numerous awards for his service. He had a passion for helping people and was a faithful servant of God.

Elroy was a loving, devoted husband, father and grandfather, a great brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He loved spending time with his family and will be missed dearly. His spirit will live on through us all in the valuable lessons and memories he left with us.

Elroy Brown was called from service to reward on Monday, July 12, 2021, in Blytheville.

Elroy was preceded in death by his parents, Amos and Evelyn Brown; four brothers, Amos Brown Jr., Joe Willie, Leland "Sweet Son" Brown, and Charles Brown; and five sisters, Thelma Raybon, Lavern "Bonnie" Warren, Linda "Pee-Wee" Armstrong and Joyce Brown-Moultrie and Betty Gray.

Elroy is survived by his wife of 24 years, Glodine Brown; nine children, Ashley (Derrell) Gray of Marion, Britney Phillips of Little Rock, Alton Young of Houston, Texas, Gerald (Olivia) Howard II of El Dorado, Elroy Brown Jr. of Osceola, Gerrell (Dericka) Howard of Blytheville, Alesia (Akeem) Bobo of Fort Worth, Texas, Caleb Brown of Benton, and Joshua Brown of Conway; 19 grandchildren; four brothers, David (Christine) Brown of Memphis, Tenn., Jim (Sharon) Brown of Gardena, Calif., Theo (Willa) Brown Sr. of Blytheville, Johnny Mack (Kimberly) Brown Sr. of Blytheville; two sisters, Florine Porter of Benton Harbor, Mich., and Joan (Raymond) House of Little Rock; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends, classmates, and the First Missionary Baptist Church family.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith..." (II Timothy 4:7)