James William Brown (Lansing)

Mr. James Brown, affectionately known to everyone as “Jimmy” passed away Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan. Age 76 years. Jimmy was the first born of four children to Perry James Brown (PJ) and Charlene Brown, of Jackson, Michigan on March 27, 1941.

Jimmy enlisted in the United States Navy in 1958 at the age of seventeen. He completed his high school diploma as he served his country in the mist of the Vietnam War. In 1977 Jimmy began employment with General Motors at the Oldsmobile plant in Lansing Michigan where he worked for 23 years before he retired.

When speaking of Jimmy we are talking about the life of the party, with his charismatic attitude, and jokester demeanor. Jimmy would light up the room with a loving presence, whether he was telling a joke to cheer you up or going in hard with you playing the dozens. Jimmy left an unforgettable impression wherever he went.

In the 70’s Jimmy was a member of a singing group called “The New Breed”. Jimmy was able to captivate the crowd at his aunt Inez’s house with his exquisite ballroom dancing. He always reminisced about how much he enjoyed the dance-offs between him and cousin Claudell. Jimmy enjoyed spending time with his siblings, Donna, Vernance, and Harold “Butchie”, playing cards, listening to music, and watching the younger children have dance-offs. In the 80’s after moving to Lansing he continued with his musical passion by rounding up his cousins; Lordell, Darryl, Herbert and Pauline, spending numerous evening harmonizing in Pauline’s kitchen.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his sons, Tonay (Kathy) Brown, Macellino Cochran, Damar (Tammy) Williams, James “Jimmy” (Myia) Brown Jr., Rashad Brown and Marcell Cole; daughters, Michelle (Michael) Warner, Kai-Lynn (Jason) Bradford; twenty grandchildren, and twenty-two great grandchildren; one brother, Harold “Butchie”; two sisters, Donna Edwards, Vernance Thomas; former spouses, Patricia Brown, Doris Taylor; several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his significant other Stella Wilks, his parents, former spouses, Juanita Abrams, and Donna Williams.