Deacon Walter Brown Jr.

Walter Brown Jr. was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, the only son of the late Walter and Gwendolyn Brown. Walter Jr. grew up in Fair Haven, N.J. and graduated from Rumson High School. He was a natural athlete, in high school and he lettered in football, baseball and gymnastics. Walter entered the U.S. Navy immediately after high school and was honorable discharged after four years. He later earned an AA degree in Mental Health from Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, N.J and graduated from the Monmouth Bible Institute in Farmingdale, N.J.

He retired from the United States Government, Fort Monmouth, N.J. after 30 years of service in 1987. He married the love of his life, Sylvia Arlene Jackson, on June 19, 1953. Sylvia’s mother, the late Mattie Jackson asked him “Will you be able to keep my daughter in the manner she is accustomed to?” He said, “I will” and he did! Walter and Sylvia celebrated 70 years of marriage June 2023. They were blessed to have five children and lived in Tinton Falls, New Jersey.

Walter (also known as “Eggie” or” Walt”, and Mom fondly called him “Wally”), lived a long, full life. He was very gregarious and had a loud infectious laugh and usually had a smile on his face. He was embraced by his community and the community of the Bethany Baptist Church, Jamacia, N.Y. where his son pastors.

Walter Jr. was raised in the Fisk Chapel AME Church in Fair Haven, N.J., but in later years he joined his wife and children as a member of the St Paul Baptist Church in Atlantic Highlands, N.J. He became a highly active member of St. Paul Baptist Church, and was ordained as a Deacon of the church. Collaborating closely with his pastor, the late Rev. Dr. Henry P. Davis, Jr. Deacon Brown was an active member of the Kitchen Committee, and he served as Chairman of the Deacon Board, Chairman of the Trustee Board, and a leader in the Laymen’s Movement. He served the General Baptist State Convention of New Jersey as Laymen’s President for four years, the National Baptist Convention, USA, Incorporated Laymen’s President for four years. During his tenure as president, the Pastor/Laymen Banquet was initiated in the Seacoast Missionary Baptist Association and other scholarship fundraisers organized to benefit the Monmouth Bible Institute. Deacon Brown was well known as a servant, both in this church and the surrounding community. He was a caterer and he volunteered for hospice weekly and delivered bread, pastries, and turkeys at Thanksgiving to seniors in the community.

Declining health required Walter and Sylvia to move into their daughter Arlene’s home in Maryland in December of 2022. Deacon Brown took flight in the home of his daughter on April 3, while in hospice care, he was 92 years old. Walter is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Florence Lewis and Joyce Patterson, his son Walter “Butch” Brown, III, his oldest granddaughter, Yolanda Lawrence, and grandson Wendell Brown.

Walter is survived by his loving wife Sylvia Brown, who currently resides with their daughter Arlene K. (Paul) Brown of Maryland, daughter Anita Sandusky of Tennessee, son David K. Brown of Virginia and their youngest son Rev. Dr. Craig S. Brown of Jamaica, N.Y. 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Robin (Sheilds) Wilkerson and Carol Mancle and a special person he calls his daughter (Nancy Scott)

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