Obituary of Bishop Joseph N. Brown, Jr.

Bishop Joseph Nathaniel Brown, Jr. (Junie, Horsey) son of the late Anna Pathenia Brown and Joseph Nathaniel Brown, Sr. was born May 31, 1932, in Cheraw, SC.  He departed this life on Monday, January 21, 2019, in the comfort of his home. 

Joseph received his early education in the Wilmington Public Schools and was a graduate of Howard High School’s class of 1950.  On August 3, 1950, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving in the Korean War and was Honorably Discharged August 14, 1953. After returning home, he worked several part time jobs.  He prayed to God for better employment that would allow him to support his family and give more time to serving the Lord. His prayer was answered as he was blessed with a full-time job with the Brandywine School District as a Custodian and remained a dedicated employee until he retired.

Joseph was visiting his friend Bunyan Thomas, looking over some comic books and met a young lady named Lucille Brown. They married, March 12, 1951 in Wilmington, DE. From their union, they were blessed with seven children.

Joseph enjoyed painting ceramics, reading, writing poetry, fishing and music. Of all his hobbies, music had a special place. He enjoyed genres; such as: gospel, jazz and classical.  When he came upon a selection that included all three genres, listening was the ultimate pleasure which would be evident from his broad smile and eagerness to share with family and friends.  His passion of music extended to both owning and playing several instruments; piano, guitar, organ and upright bass violin.

At age 18, Joseph began his walk with Christ and in June 1950 he was baptized. He was filled with the Holy Ghost in 1953.  He served as an assistant pastor for the Glorious Church of God in Christ (Townsend, DE: Mo. C. Henry and Elder C. Lockett).  He also pastored in Elkton, MD. Joseph was a God fearing man who lived his life according to the Word of God. He believed that a man’s walk should mirror the principle set forth in the Holy Bible.  As a result of sheep being scattered and led astray, Bishop Brown started his own church in his home.  On April 15, 1982, he held his 1st church service with 10 members.  A year later, he began holding services at the YMCA for approximately 2 months while in search of their own building. A vacant building was found at 1207-09 North Heald Street, Wilmington, DE and in 1984 they moved into their current church home.He referred to it as an “oasis for wounded souls”. It was not unusual to find Bishop Brown sitting outside as people walked by witnessing and spreading love without judgement in his mission to win souls to Christ!People traveled near and far to hear the gospel preached and to be saved, baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost.  Bishop Brown was first partaker of the fruit when it came to street meeting, visiting the sick and those in nursing homes and planting seeds of hope to those who were behind prison walls.  If he saw someone in need, he did not turn his head to ignore the situation. Bishop’s mission was not complete! As the church continued to grow, Bishop Brown was led to join forces with other pastors’ in the ministry now known as the Federation of Apostolic Churches, he was the Founder, Guide and Chief Steward until God called him home.

Joseph was preceded in death by loving wife, Lucille, his daughter Rachel, brother Donald, his sisters Eunice, Elizabeth, Constance and Anna. 

He leaves to cherish his memory: his six children; Clair, Joseph, Donald (Patricia), Verneda (Willie), Doretha (Michael) and Tracey; two sisters Dorothea (Edward) and Pauline. one sister-in-law, Frances Steed; one brother-in-law, Nathaniel Brown; nineteen grandchildren; longtime friends and church members Mother Harriet Lewis and Mother Emma Phares; and a host of nephews, nieces, family, friends, church family and his congregation.