John Wesley Brown, Sr., went to his Heavenly home on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at the age of 93.
John was born on March 2, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Clifford and Ophelia Brown. He was the seventh of thirteen siblings in his family.

While growing up, John had a love for hunting, swimming, fishing, baseball, football, bowling, boxing and traveling. However, John's greatest love was for the love of GOD.

Soon after high school, John enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country for four years. John was stationed in Germany and in his leisure time he enjoyed showing off his boxing skills which earned him the nick-name "SABU".

Later on in life, John was employed as a Long-Distance Truck Driver. He would travel all over the world to places like Canada, Detroit, Ohio, and New York City, just to name a few. He was a member of the American Legion, and a member of the Carpenters Union of Philadelphia for more than 50 years.

In the early 90's after his retirement, John moved from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Milford, Virginia, and worked as a Supervisor at the Cannery in Milford. He lived in Virginia for over 30 years with his wife, Margaret V. Brown, who went to her Heavenly Home in January 2019.

John was a Man of GOD and most definitely a family man. John was a Deacon for over 32 years in churches in Philadelphia and in Virginia. His most recent church home where he also served on the Deacon Board was Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church 31220 Old Dawn Rd. Hanover, Virginia. Deacon Brown also loved to sing on the Senior Choir in his church. About a year after the death of his wife, Deacon Brown worked hard to maintain a healthy and prosperous life in Virginia. After some time passed, his health was slowly declining so he decided to move to Delaware to be with his son, John W. Brown Jr. "Bossman" and his daughter-in-law, Yolanda Brown, who faithfully took care of him and all his needs. December of 2020 to current during the Covid Pandemic, Deacon Brown would faithfully watch (via livestream) the Sunday Services of his church. He was truly a Man of GOD. One of his favorite Gospel songs of all times he used to sing was "I Don't Feel Noways Tired" by James Cleveland.

John was a great father, a great mentor, leader, trendsetter and icon. He was loving, caring, giving, grateful and sincere. John had a reputation of being a disciplinary authority on raising his family. John was as sharp as a knife and a very wise man. Nothing could get past him. He said what he felt without prejudice. He would always have little quotes he would say like "What you do in the dark will come out in the light"; "A Hard Head makes a soft…you know the rest"; "Don't let me put my gorilla suit on!"; and "I don't take the tea for the fever".

John is survived by two brothers, Lloyd Brown and Henry "Toothpick" Brown; four children) John W. Brown, Jr., Sherel McKnight, Sharon Brown and Tara (Brown) Lomax; four grandchildren, Dishae L. Brown, Iesha L. Brown, Yohnae Brown and Keith Nasir Lomax; two great-grandchildren, Izeemh J. Brown and Alycia Brown; and many, many, many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

John was known in the family as THE GODFATHER. John, you will be missed but never forgotten.

Graveside service will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at St. John Baptist Church Cemetery, 17080 South River Road, Woodford, Virginia 22580 with a viewing from 11:30 am to 12:00 noon.