Mr. Johnny Lee "Sugar Bear" Brown Sr. died March 14. The son of the late Mr. Jack H. Brown and Annie Lou Floyd Brown, he was born in 1950 in Newton County. He joined Peek's Chapel Baptist Church at an early age. He married Mrs. Nannette Brown Stanford. Later in life, he rededicated his life to Christ and worked faithfully toward his life long goal of serving on the Deacon Board until his health began to fail.

He attended R.L. Cousins High School and excelled in playing basketball as a defensive guard, No. 66, with the Wolverines. He played baseball for the Springhill Reds and coached the Springhill Reds ladies softball team. Mr. Brown was dedicated to his family and helped anyone in need in the community. All who knew him will miss his sense of humor and delightful attitude. He was preceded in death by daughter Monica.

Surviving are fiancée Ms. Melinda Smith; sons Mr. Eric Hill, Mr. Johnny L. (Kimberly) Brown Jr., Mr. Antonio Kelly, Kentoyous Smith, Mr. Quinnataurius Weaver, Mr. Jamarcus Smith; sister Jacqueline Smith (Lee); brothers Mr. Jesse Lee (Annie Nell) Brown, Mr. Charles F. (Dora) Brown; honorary brother Mr. Lamar Floyd; honorary mother Ms. Mildred Smith; honorary sisters Veronica, Monica, Cassandra and Mrs. Steven (Diana) Sheperd; grandchildren Quita, Mikles, Evlyondria, Shaquiria, Jarrard, Jarell, Ayana, Katorya, Saniyah; nieces Veronica, Tonya, Cristy, Kamyá; nephews Winston, Saddarius, Deonte; two great-aunts; three great-uncles; three aunts; two uncles; a host of sisters brothers-in-law, cousins and friends.

Funeral services were held March 20 at Peek's Chapel Baptist Church, Conyers, with Pastor J.H. Battle officiating.

The Covington News
March 23, 2008