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Captain Rickey Ellis Brown

rickey brown

May 15, 1957 ~ March 11, 2022

Born in: Mer Rouge , Louisiana
Resided in: San Antonio, Texas

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, entered into eternal rest on March 11, 2022 at the young age of 64. He was born in Mer Rouge, Louisiana to A.C. and Sarah Brown on May 15, 1957.

Rickey was a hardworking man who consistently provided for his family and always put his family first. He married the love of his life, Benilda Ashby, on May 29, 1982. They shared a union of almost 40 years come May of 2022. Their marriage was a reflection of their true love.

Rickey proudly joined the United States Marine Corps, retiring after 20 + years of service as Captain. After his military retirement, he continued working as a teacher in education, where he taught science at Kitty Hawk Middle School, retiring after serving 21 years.

Rickey was a faithful member of West End Church of God in Christ where he was an Ordained Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, trustee board member. He will be missed dearly and forever cherished for his giving heart, kind spirit, and genuine love.

He is preceded in death by his father: A.C. Brown, and his brother: Gregory Brown.

He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years: Benilda Brown, his mother: Sarah Fortenberry; his children: Mario Lawson, Natalie Collins (Christopher), and Rickey Dee Brown, siblings: Debra Fortenberry, Marilyn Harris (Denoris), Michael Brown (Paquita), Vernell Brown (Jennifer); Sandra Nelson (Michael), Hattie Miller (Phillip); Carla Gates (Eugene), Nena Fortenberry, Maurice Fortenberry; three grandchildren: Jamisha Gaillard, Jalen Lawson, and DeJanae Mills; and numerous close relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to West End COGIC, 2106 W. Popular, San Antonio, TX 78207. Givelify/West End Church of God in Christ.

Broadcast Date:

Meadowlawn Funeral Home Broadcast

Services

Visitation: April 1, 2022 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

MeadowLawn Funeral Home
5611 E. Houston St.
San Antonio, TX United States

78220
www.meadowlawnmemorialpark.com

Service: April 2, 2022 11:00 am

Praise Cathedral COGIC
5895 Binz-Engleman Rd.
San Antonio, TX United States

78244
cmccogic@sbcglobal.net

Cemetery: April 4, 2022 9:15 am

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd.
San Antonio, TX United States

78209

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Guestbook

  1. Mr Brown
    A wonderful brother very strong minded love the God as well family.
    May God blessings on the Brown and Fortenberry family’s
    Love Gleason family

  2. CandleImageDeacon Brown always had an encouraging word for people & especially for the youth. He will be missed. Praying 🙏 for the family.

  3. CandleImageMay God, continue to shower the family with good health, love, grace, protection, mercy. May peace be with the family.

  4. Servant’ of GOD 🙏
    I’ve only heard how wonderful you were. The life you lived for Christ. On the day you left and had to leave your family had to be to meet with Jesus!!!
    This was a life not lived in vain. Bless you and your family. Peace be with them during this time. Prayers for his wife, childrens and Mother 💕 and his entire family.

  5. Deacon Brown will always hold a special place in my heart. From laboring together in the Kingdom to serving on Trustee Boards, we stood, we laughed, we got things done. He always served in a spirit of excellence with love and kindness leading the charge. He was a true solider serving in dual armies with integrity and honor. Until we meet again my dear friend, let me join with the Angels in Heaven cheering, shouting, “Well done Sir, Well done!”

    To Family and Friends, we salute you for being apart of his life. Rest in the precious memories and let his life be a comfort during the tough times. Praying continually for you.

    With my sincerest love and compassion,

    Cassandra Taylor
    Prosper, TX

  6. Rickey Brown was a man who lived a life of faith in God and service to others. I never heard an unkind word from him. He encouraged others and was always lending a helping hand. I had the privilege of co-teaching with him for ten years. His patience, his honor, and his faith showed in all he said and did. Much love, prayers, and hugs to his sweet family.

  7. We will miss Rickey’s very kind soul. What a true blessing he was for so many. Ray and Denise Rowe

  8. Rickey was an amazing person, husband, father, uncle, brother and friend; he was an inspiration to all the people around him. Was always there to support and encourage you. He will be missed dearly!
    Rest In Peace my dear uncle!❤️

  9. I had the privilege of working with Rickey at Kitty Hawk MS. He was a kind, patient, generous, sweet man to the students & faculty alike. He always modeled a positive attitude, had a smile on his face & was willing to help everyone. I saw God in him every day. We were all blessed to know him & work with him. I’m praying for God’s comfort for his family.

  10. CandleImageMy dear sweet Ricky….our many, many conversations…. your words of wisdom and encouragement will always have a special place in my heart. Rest in peace my friend….till we meet again

  11. Ricky was a gentle giant. I had the honor of teaching with Ricky at Kitty Hawk. He showed great love and understanding to his students, fellow teacher, and friends. He had great faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A man of great honor. He will be truly missed. Much love and prayers to his family.

  12. CandleImageRickey was such a kind and encouraging gentleman. It was a pleasure and a privilege to work with him at Kitty Hawk. He walked with peace and served well. Praying for comfort and peace for his family.

  13. CandleImage1Timothy 3:13
    “For those who serve well as deacon gain a good standing for themselves and also faith that is in Christ Jesus”
    Deacon Brown was an awesome Man of God who was well respect for his Acts of kindness towards everyone he met.
    I cherish the opportunity I had with the Brown family. The fellowship, love, family times, received wisdom from Deacon Brown. I praise
    and thank God for memories Deacon and mother Brown, Natalie entire family. An African proverb said those who accomplish great things pay attention to little details. And Deacon was a Man of honor who’s who pay attention who loved his wife and family . Thank you for sharing Deacon Brown to the body of Christ, community.
    Many Blessings 💜

  14. CandleImageRickey Brown’s office at Kitty Hawk Middle School was next to my classroom, so I was lucky enough to see him at the end of almost every day of teaching for the first years I was there. He was always in good spirits, always an inspiration, always had time to talk and looked for the good in any situation. What a wonderful man! May your memories of him bring you peace and comfort.

  15. Mr. Brown’s office was at the back of the classroom where I taught at Kitty Hawk, so I was lucky enough to talk with him almost every day during my early days there. He was such an inspiration! He always was so upbeat, helpful, and positive. He was an amazing man! Peace be with you all, and may the memories you have of him bring you comfort.

  16. CandleImageSo sorry for your loss Mrs. Brown
    My sincere condolence to you and family.
    Mr. Brown has been and will be missed at BMT clinic, his soft spoke polite voiced.
    May Mr. Brown RIP.

  17. CandleImageMy condolences to the Brown Family. As Mr. Brown journeyed through
    this life, he left footprints of kindness, compassion, inspiration and faith.
    I pray that the family will be comforted with his precious memories.

  18. CandleImageMY PRAYER FOR THE BROWN FAMILY
    God of love and compassion,please enbrace Binilda Brown and family. Whose hearts today overflow
    with much grief and sorrow,over the passing of their Dear Beloved; Capt. Rickey E. Brown.
    Father may they know your presence in the stillness of the day and through the love of friends
    who offer their condolence and support.
    Lord heal their broken hearts and bind up their wounds day by day. Grant them the space to express
    their many tears, and unhold them throught the coming days with “Your Strength and Peace”.
    And, ALMIGHTY , help us all to cherish the blessed memories You gave to us to share with Rickey.
    For I found him to be most honorable and God-fearing in all his ways.
    In the name of Jesus we pray. Peace be with you all. Amen.

  19. My Prayer For The Brown Family: God of love and compassion, please enbrace Benilda Brown and family
    ,whose hearts today overflow with much grief and sorrow from the passing of their Dear beloved;
    Capt. Rickey E. Brown,
    Father may they know your presence in the stillness of the day and through the love of friend who offer their condolence and support.
    Lord heal their broken hearts and bind up their wounds , day by day. Grant them the space to express their many tears , and uphold them through the coming days with ” YOUR STRENGTH and PEACE”.
    And; ALMIGHTY help us to cherish the blessed memories we shared with Rickey. For in the short time I knew him’ I found him to be most honorable and God-Fearing in all his ways. May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you all . AMEN.

  20. Deacon Brown fought a good fight, now has finished his course and kept the faith. May his character and words continue through all he loved and influenced. Our deepest condo-
    lances and prayers to Mother Brown and Famiy.

  21. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Brown at Kitty Hawk for 8 years. He was such a wonderful soul! My condolences to his family. May God provide you with comfort and peace during this difficult time.

  22. Dear Benilda and family,
    Our hearts are saddened by your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you and family. Take comfort in knowing that Rickey will forever live in your hearts, the memories you shared, his commitment, devotion and unconditional love to you and family will live on.
    Rickey loved God and was committed to do His work, he was a devout Christian. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that Rickey was “a Marine’s, Marine. He epitomized the Corps’ motto “Semper Fidelis (Fi)”. He will be deeply missed.
    May our dear friend, brother in arms and in Christ, R.I.P. Amen, hallelujah!
    Much love, The Rea Family

  23. Sending prayers of peace and comfort during this time. I have kind and loving memories of Rickey. His faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ encourages me even today.

    Love,
    Willie Mae Brown Hall and Family

  24. CandleImageDeacon Brown was a good example of what a man of God should be. I never heard him say anything negative. He was always giving words of encouragement and nuggets of wisdom. My condolences and prayers for the family. Mother Benilda look to the hills from which our help comes. May our Lord and Savior strengthen you and the Family in this hour.

    Sis. Rita Banks and Ebonee

  25. Is it possible to be a 20-year veteran of the few and proud Marines and be a lover of Jesus Christ and a gentle soul at the same time? Well, Deacon Rickey Brown certainly was. Like many others, I was blessed by our loving Lord to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ricky as I witnessed this gentle captain of Marines manage God’s money like it was his own, love his wife and children with every fiber of his soul, was a “public saint” by always letting his light shine for all who crossed paths with him, and was just a great ambassador for God’s unconditional love period. What a giant and life well lived. Thank you Deacon Rickey Brown for your example of excellence, commitment, and esprit de corps. Mother Brown, my condolence and heart-felt prayers to you and the entire corps of family and friends. Simper fi Deacon Brown and enjoy the rest you’ve earned. Well done Sir! My love to the family and friends.

  26. Rickey was a very good friend. He was a example to me and I am sure to those who knew him of how someone could live a life that was above reproach. I will miss our conversations and will always hear him say regarding him explaining something to someone else, “Jack, I told (him or her), “Look, you don’t understand””. Then give his chuckle. He always did his “homework” regarding the situation. He didn’t necessarily try to persuade you to accept his way of thinking but wouldn’t allow you to change what he knew what was fact. I found he was correct and was humble about it because that was usually the truth. My world is a little different now. I still hear his voice and his “little” chuckle. I was trying to think about how long I have known him and came up with over 40 years. May God continue to bless Benilda, Natalie, Mario, Rickey Dee and the remainder of his family and friends.

    Semper Fi


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