Israel Brown

Israel “Big Brownie” Brown, 81, husband of Vermell S. Singleton Brown, died Sept. 3, 2007, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born Jan. 31, 1926, in Clarendon County, he was the son of the late Israel Brown and Rosa Cooper Brown. Mr. Brown attended the public schools in Sumter County and New York City. He was a member of the Trinity Missionary Baptist Church. He was employed with Cherokee Construction Co. as a heavy equipment operator for 40 years. A World War II veteran, he earned several medals; the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Philippines Liberation Ribbon and the World War II Medal of Victory.

Mr. Brown was a member of the International F&AM Masons, OES King Joseph Lodge No. 45, King David Royal Arch Chapter No. 2, Job Commander Knights Templer No. 2, Salaam Temple Shriner No. 17, King Solomon Consistory Thirty Second Degree, Fellowship No. 65 OES and the South Carolina State Grand Commander.

Survivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Vermell S. Brown; one son, Ameer A. Amin (Larry Brown); a sister, Ethel Williams; 10 grandchildren, three of which he raised as his own, Phillip Andre Bailey, Tamar Antwan Brown and Jamel Rashard Brown; nine great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Saturday at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in Sumter, with the Rev. Larry C. Weston, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Kenneth Choice.

Burial was in Hillside Memorial Park.

Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter was in charge of arrangements.