Essie Ray Brown Sr.

Funeral services were held Jan. 4, 2025, at Friendship Baptist Church, Monticello, for Essie Ray Brown Sr., 70, who died Dec. 24, 2024, at Lawrence County Hospital, Monticello.  Elder Jerry Atterberry officiated, with interment following in the church cemetery.  Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Essie Brown was born to the late Ernestine Brown and C. L. Mallard in Jayess.  He was educated in Monticello school system. He lived in California and later relocated to Louisiana where he lived most of his adult life.  He later moved to Monticello.  He loved to drive and worked as a tow truck driver until his health failed.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Brown; five brothers, Fulton Brown, Milton Brown, Arthur Ray Brown, Willie Mallard, and Frank Mallard; and two sisters, Sandra Brown and Kathy Martin.

He is survived by three sons, Essie Ray Brown Jr., Ray Jefferson, Essie T. Jefferson; four daughters, Lisa, Stephanie, and Patrice Brown; Jasmine Jefferson; five grandchildren; six brothers, Willie Sr., Harvey, Herman, Billy, and David Brown, Robert Mallard; three sisters, Ollie J. Dixon, Hazel and Barbara Mallard; and many other relatives and friends.