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James A. Brown, Jr.


Sunrise: September 15, 1954

Sunset: September 30, 2020

James was born in Norfolk, Virginia to Essie Matilda Moore Brown and James A. Brown, Sr. He leaves behind his cherished wife of thirty one years, Cheryl; four daughters, Phonecia Thomas, Natalya Thomas-Griffin (Aaron), Jamille Thomas and Amiaya Brown; one son, Akeem Thomas; two sisters, Feion Robertson-Ross and Joycette Ward; five brothers; Malcolm L. Brown, Otis Brown, Donson Brown, Jerome Brown, Gary Freeman, Rev. Dr. Herbert Robertson, Jr. and Rev. William Robertson; one stepmother, Melody Ward-Brown; nineteen grandchildren; Ameire Thomas, Rhayquan Thomas, Zion
Thomas, Nylah Thomas, Lailah Thomas, Aasahn Thomas-Griffin, Amari Thomas-Griffin, Aaron Griffin Jr., Aaric Thomas- Griffin, Naki Thomas-Griffin, Naterrius Spell, Naseem Sheppard, Akeem Thomas Jr., Angel Thomas, Adreyell Thomas, Alijah Thomas, Tyquan Brown, Quavell Brown, Jahniya Murry; one great-granddaughter, Aazarelle Thomas-Griffin; one Aunt, Marlene Welsh and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Essie Matilda Moore Brown Robertson, his father, James A. Brown, Sr., his stepmothers Peggy Brown and Carolyn Brown, his step-father Herbert Robertson, Sr; his sister, Sherri Freeman-Otey, his brother, Kennedith Brown, brother William Ward, and grandson, Alijah Thomas.

Growing up in Saint John’s AME Church with his cousins Gregory Jones, Googie Jones and Rod Jones was all he ever talked about. He was a member of the Boy Scout Troop, Steward Board and a Member of the Male Choir; his solo that he sang was “Goin’ up Yonder”. His days as a youth in Saint John’s were memorable and impressionable as he retold his stories about going to Camp Andrew Young where he learned to swim; Mr. Wallace Garner and his ability to pray and how he looked up to him; his grandfather, Smith Beckett who in his words was a “Giant of a man” who looked like Mr. Atlas in his younger years. James was an avid runner and a member of the Norview High School Track Team. From Norview, he moved to Chesapeake where he attended Indian River High School from where he graduated in 1972. He also served in the United States Marine Corps from July 1972 to August 1973 where he worked as a bugler in the Drum and Bugle Corps. Some of his proudest moments was when he was stationed on 8th and Eye Streets in Washington, D.C. He traveled to various states and overseas performing for official ceremonies and funerals. His band of friends in the Drum and Bugle Corp (Charlie Wells and Johnnie Hopkins) keep in contact even to this day. One of his buddies, Bobby White recently died.

After returning home from the Marine Corps, James became very well known for his gift of gab through the car selling business. His favorite saying was “There is always an ass for every seat” meaning that every car could be sold to someone. Some of his happiest moments was when he was able to get a car “over the curve”; he loved selling used cars. This is how he met the love of his life Cheryl over thirty three years ago—he sold her a Dodge Daytona and he called every day to check on that car and Cheryl. He often told people that he was an “accessory that came with the car.”

In 1989, three months after James and Cheryl were married, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. James and Cheryl navigated the health care system to ensure he received the absolute best of care. Over their thirty-one years of marriage they were involved in several trials of medications to treat his Multiple Sclerosis. In 2014, Cheryl left her Federal Government job to stay at home and care for James full-time.

They even traveled to California with their daughter Amiaya and with the encouragement of his best friend Michael Mills so that he could receive one of the newest treatments for Multiple Sclerosis, Stem Cell Therapy. His best friend, Michael Mills and his brother Nevin would take James to his physical therapy appointments two times a week to help Cheryl as they were
nearing the end of his Disease Process and journey.

There was one brother who could always be counted on to help Cheryl with his “Big Brother”. Even though “Little Brother” stood a head taller than James, he would always drive from North Carolina to Maryland to take his “Big Brother” to his weekly, monthly or whenever appointments. He did not find it robbery to stay with his brother when his wife, Cheryl, traveled out of town for meetings associated with her job. Even if he had to do the job by himself, Donson Brown was always there to help his “Big Brother”.

From 2015 to 2017 James was an inpatient in the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. Cheryl brought him home two times during his stay to care for him at home and when this became too much for her, she reluctantly took him back to the Veterans Home in Charlotte Hall Maryland where he succumbed.

James was also a Member of the Charles H. Wesley Masonic Lodge in Maryland for over 24 years.

He will be missed!

The family would like to thank you for your calls, cards, prayers and support during this very trying time.  We loved him but God loved him best!

Please make monetary contributions to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to help those who are living with this disease and struggle daily to maintain a level of independence

Viewing Sunday, October 4, 2020 12:00pm - 5:00pm Metropolitan Funeral Service 7246 Granby Street Norfolk, VA 23505 Service WATCH SERVICE LIVE ONLINE Monday, October 5, 2020 2:00pm Metropolitan Funeral Service Granby Chapel The family is following the CDC and State of Virginia guidelines for funeral attendance

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Condolences(6)

  1. reply
    Anthony and Sharon Jiggetts says

    Rest In Peace our dear cousin James. The road hasn’t been easy but your steps were truly ordered by God. Until we meet again We love you!❤️

  2. reply
    Joycettee Ward says

    Brother, those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day. Unseen and unheard, but always near. So loved, so missed, so very dear….until we meet again….REST??
    My prayers and condolences to Cheryl and the entire family.

    • reply
      Gary K. Dent says

      We love you and our prayers and condolences to the family Joycette

  3. reply
    Gary & Carman Dent says

    Carman and I wish we could be with the family, Amiaya and you, Cheryl, to be of greater support and comfort at this time. We pray for all who loved and cared for James Brown, Jr. over the years. We mourn his passing but know that James is in God’s care now and what better could we ever ask for our dear cousin?

    We, also, pray that our Lord keeps you in His tender care and love for all eternity.

    Carman and I will forever hold James and you in our hearts.
    ??????

  4. reply
    Marlene Welsh says

    Say not In Grief that he is no more, but live in thankfulness. Because he was,,,,,Sweet, humble and kind
    May his beautiful soul rest in peace.

  5. reply
    Moses and Darlene Moore says

    My Cousin fought a good fight and has finished his course. Finally he has peace. Thank you Lord.

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