Willie Lee Brown February 3, 1967 – July 2, 2020

Willie Lee Brown of Augusta passed away at his home at the age of 53. Willie or “Blob” as he was affectionately known, was born in Augusta to June Dave Brown III and Ethel Maddox-Brown. Willie received his education from the Augusta Public Schools in Augusta, graduating with the class of 1985. He went on continue his education by attending Compton College in Compton, California and graduated with an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Sports Management in 1988.

Willie was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Searcy for four years, where he served as Associate Pastor and sang in the church choir. He was formerly the Founder and Pastor of New Birth Baptist Church (2005) in Kensett, where he served as pastor for three years. During his tenure New Birth was the first African American church to join the Southern Baptist denomination in the region. Willie was employed as a truck driver with Conley Transport in Searcy for more than 10 years. While living in California, he was employed as head of security for Praises of Zion Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California for nine years.

His parents; and two brothers, Larry Brown and Danny Lee Brown, all preceded him in death. Survivors are: two sons, Willie L. Brown II, of Little Rock, and Shaquille Glass, of Arkadelphia; three daughters, Erica Jones, of Maumelle, Candice Jones, of Searcy, and Kylin Brown, of Torrance, CA; three grandchildren, Amarianna Brown, Aniyah Brown and Malikai Fields, all of Searcy; a god-daughter, Netta McGraw, of Dallas, TX; nine brothers, Bobby (Dorothy) Brown, Stevie (Judy) Brown, Alan (Stephanie) Brown, Derrick Brown, Jimmy Brown, Jesse Brown and Darrell Brown, all of Augusta, Jerry (Stella) Brown, of Los Angeles, CA, and Jerome (Doris) Brown, of Searcy; a sister, Patricia Smith, of Rochester, NY; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Funeral services were held July 11 at New Holly Grove Baptist Church in Augusta with Bishop Larry Johnson officiating. Interment took place at New Quiet Cemetery in Augusta by Branscumb Johnson & Gilchrest Funeral Home of Brinkley.