Allen Brown

Allen Brown was born on August 29, 1927, in Tampa, Florida to proud parents Alma Louise Robinson-Brown and William Monroe Brown. He was named Allen in honor of his maternal grandfather who was affectionately called “Daddy Allen.” Young Allen spent his childhood in Tampa surrounded by the love of his extended family, which included Daddy Allen; his maternal grandmother, Mama Needy; his Aunt Evelyn; and his Uncle Jimmie. From them, he learned the importance of family, and that was a lesson he would never forget. For him, family was paramount. As a youth, he loved swimming and was an excellent water athlete. After graduating from high school, he obtained his first job, that of a deep sea diver. He later worked as a proud Pullman Porter and through that job got a chance to travel throughout the United States on railways such as the Atlantic Coast Line and its Silver Meteor trains. It was this job that first sparked his life-long desire to travel and see the world. To do that, he joined the military and served this country honorably as a member of the U.S. Army for twenty-two years, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class. He served in the Engineering Corps, the Air Defense Command (Missiles), and as an Air Defense Evaluator. He traveled throughout the world and had tours of duty on the Isle of Crete in Greece as well as in Germany and Korea. He also had military base assignments in Fort Carson, Colorado, in Alaska, and in his most prominent and last designation, Fort Bliss, Texas. A few months before his passing, he took his last travel adventure, an automobile trip through several southern states with his life-long Army buddies, Mr. Fred Murphy and Mr. Franklin Moses. In recognition of his dedication, determination and relentless hard work, he received numerous awards and commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. Over the course of his Army career, he also received several Good Conduct Medals for exemplary relationships with army personnel and displays of outstanding military discipline. The city of El Paso awarded him a Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service for his consistent volunteer work in the community and for the contributions he made toward improving the overall quality of life for the citizens of El Paso. He resided in the city of El Paso for over fifty years. He was well-known and respected in the community and served as an advisor and mentor to many of his friends and associates. He was a successful entrepreneur, operating a janitorial business, a restaurant, and an upholstery business in El Paso and in Las Cruces, New Mexico. For over forty years, he was a member of Pride of the West Lodge #53, Prince Hall Masons. He was also a member of Rio Grande Consistory #24 for over 35 years, and he was a 33rd degree Mason. As a member of the Shriners, he was the past Illustrious Potentate of Oro Temple #9 in El Paso. He was also a firm believer in the concept that it was through higher education that one could best seize opportunities for improving one’s life. As such, he went back to school and earned an Associate Degree of Applied Sciences from El Paso Community College. Allen Brown loved to entertain, particularly with family and friends. He had a passion for food and extravagant feasts. It was a signature event for him to organize sumptuous dinners and family gatherings all during the year. Mr. Brown’s parties were well known in the community for bringing smiles and good neighbor cheer to everyone who attended. Preceding him was the passage of his father and mother, Mr. William Monroe Brown and Mrs. Alma Louise Robinson-Brown ; his sister, Marjorie Jean Brown-Lyles; and his wife of many years, Mary Louise Brown. Mourning his passing are his two sons, Allen Brown (wife, Ragina) and Lance Brown; his daughters Margie Brown (Robert), Jackie Beverly (Lewis), Cheryl Nicholson (Dennis), Deborah Cayce (Randy), and Charyse Bell; his beloved niece, Cornelia Lyles-Horne (David); devoted cousins Gloria Smith, Cecelia Cambridge, Cassie Brown and Morris Brown; eleven grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. Allen Brown loved serving the Lord and was a faithful member of Unity Missionary Baptist Church. He was a church deacon and an active participant in church ministries. He was also a devoted teacher for the “How May I Serve You” ministry and was an avid fundraiser for the “Love for Africa” ministry. His was a life of significance and achievement. He was loved and he will be sorely missed.