Billy Edwin Brown

Billy was born to Ruby and Herbert (Hub) Brown on July 10, 1935 in Pinola, Mississippi. Billy grew up in Pinola and the surrounding community where he worked helping his father with their family business which was farming and ginning cotton. His dad owned a cotton ginning business so in addition to helping in the cotton fields, Billy also worked in the cotton gin where local farmers came to gin their cotton. In addition to working for his father, Billy was the quarterback and captain of the football team at Pinola High School where he met the love of his life, Joann Yeager, and began dating her.

After graduating from Pinola High School in 1954, Billy and Joann were married on June 29,1954 marking the beginning of a shared life filled with love and devotion. Shortly afterward, Billy and Joann moved to Germany where Billy served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army for the next eighteen months. After moving back to Jackson, Mississippi, he went to college before he tried his hand in various business ventures. He later went to work for United Gas Pipeline in the mid-sixties where he climbed the ladder in various positions which required relocating to Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. Both Billy and Joann moved to Richmond, Texas where he retired. He was a hard worker and retirement did not agree with him so he then went to work with Alan Melancon at Melancon Energy for the next twenty-two years before he retired permanently. This work partnership grew into a sweet friendship.

Billy loved his Lord and the church. He served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon for many decades in several churches during his life. The latest being at Pecan Grove Baptist Church where he also enjoyed teaching at a nearby senior living facility.

Preceded in death by both of his parents, sister Nataline Gibson, brother Buster Luke, and the “love of his life, Patty Joann. Billy is survived by two loving sisters, Lynda Williams of Magee, Mississippi and Sherry Gibson of Ocean Springs, Mississippi along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Billy’s love extended to his four children: Lance (Laura) Brown, Ken Brown, Greg Brown, and Patty Leifrig (Dennis) along with daughters-in-law Stephanie Brown Ballinger and Suzanne Brown Woods. He adored his ten grandchildren: Erin Brown Henderson (Chase), Kyle Brown (Dani), Nathan Brown (Hadley), Logan Brown (Jessica), Payton Brown (Katelyn), Hunter Brown, Savannah Brown, Ashton, Landon and Preston Leifrig along with 8 great grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Janeth Flores for her wonderful care while Billy was in hospice. Janeth is much more than a caregiver. She became a trusted friend and part of the family as she cared for Joann during her season of need and then later as she cared for Billy.

Please join us to honor and celebrate the life of Billy Edwin Brown on Saturday,

April 12, 2025 at 10:00 am at Pecan Grove Baptist Church. The church is located at 1727 FM 359 S., Richmond, Texas. A brief reception will follow immediately after the memorial service.