Obituary of Fred Oral Brown Sr.
Obituary of
Fred Oral Brown Sr.
Goodbyes are not forever,
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I’ll miss you,
until we meet again.
On Friday, February 5, 2021, Fred Oral Brown Sr., third child born on September 5, 1929 to Floyd Joseph Brown and Tessie (Dunn) Brown laid his earthly burdens down and entered into eternal rest at the age of 91 years and 5 months.
At the young age of 4, Fred lost his father due to an accident. In March 1935, Fred’s mother marred Albert Clay Hicks who raised Fred as his own and was a loving and caring father. Fred was an only child due to the loss of his brother, Floyd Joseph Brown Jr. being stillborn and sister Verba Clotine Brown, passing at the age of 2.
On July 11, 1952, Fred married Hazel Rosetta Potts. Fred wanted a large family due to growing up alone and Hazel did too, because she came from a large family. Together they were blessed with ten children; Connie, Fred Jr., Vicky Ann, Paula, Cindy, Terry, Robert, Rodney, Lesley, and Dennis.
Fred attended church as a young boy but wasn’t able to attend later in life, but that didn’t stop him from talking to God and praying daily.
In 1960, Fred and Hazel lost their 3 years, 10 month old daughter, Vicky Ann, who was a daddy’s girl. Several years later in 1998, he lost his wife Hazel, from cancer. Two short years later, he lost his son Bob in 2000 due to an automobile accident. Missing them took a toll on him, but he knew he had his other children and all his grandchildren that loved and needed him and he couldn’t give up.
On Friday, February 5th, Fred wanted to go to the doctor because he felt very bad. After a few hours at Hardin County General Hospital, he was flown to Western Baptist in Paducah, KY, where he later passed away.
To mourn his passing, he leaves his children, Connie (Larry R. ) Baker of Rosiclare, IL, Fred Brown Jr. of Golconda, IL, Paula Johnson of Harrisburg, IL, Cindy Keeney of Rosiclare, IL, Terry Brown of Golconda, IL, Rodney (Mona) Brown of Mascoutah, IL, Lesley (Susana) Brown of Golconda, IL, and Dennis Brown of Herod, IL; grandchildren, Jonathan Brown, Vicky Baker, Joseph Brown, Rebecca German, John Johnson, Daniel Dale, Kristy Trusty, Diana Moore, Chad Joiner, J.D. Atkinson, Stanton Reed, Marcus Joiner, Joshua Harrison, Grace Brown, Evan Johnson, Holly Harrison, Matthew Brown, Misty Brown, Aaliyah Walker, Hunter Brown, Jacob Brown, Kembra Brown, Chloe Brown; 30 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; brother-in-law, James (Norma) Potts of Karbers Ridge, IL; two sisters-in-law, Nola Goolsby of Uniontown, KY; and Wanda Thompson of Evansville, IN; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel; his precious little girl, Vicky Ann; his son, Robert Brown; his parents and stepfather, Floyd Brown Sr, Tessie (Dunn) (Brown) Hicks and Albert Hicks; his brother, Floyd Brown Jr.; his sister, Verba Clotine Brown; one grandchild, Kyle Brown; one great-grandson, Tristan Tyler Brown; and one great-great granddaughter, Myleigh Lou Ovington.
Fred will be deeply missed by all of his family, but will never be forgotten.
In My Heart
I thought of you today.
But that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday.
And days before that too.
I think of you in silence.
I often speak your name.
Now all I have are memories.
And your picture in a frame.
Your memory is my keepsake.
With which I’ll never part.
God has you in his keeping.
I have you in my heart.
We knew this day would come,
But never thought it would be now.
We always had a great time
talking on the phone and
an even better time visiting.
We always knew how to make each other laugh.
It brightened your day
to see us drive up and surprise you.
Kembra couldn’t wait to give
her “ole Papaw” a hug and “kisses on the jaw.”
We hope you knew just how much we all loved you
and how much you meant to us.
You will never be forgotten.
You will forever remain in our hearts.
Love, Kembra and Vicky
