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Willie James Brown Of Sag Harbor Dies September 21

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Willie James Brown

Willie James Brown of Sag Harbor died at the Bridgehampton home of his brother, Hanson Brown Jr., on September 21. He was 70.

Born on May 22, 1942, to Hanson and Effie M. Redding Brown in Georgia, he was one of seven brothers and four sisters. He attended the Dooly County Public Schools and showed an interest in barbering at a young age. Shortly after graduating from high school, he moved to Orlando where he continued to cut hair.

After moving to Long Island, he earned his certification as a master barber and opened the famous James Brown’s Barber Shop. After he met the love of his life, Ruth M. Martin, they married and moved to Sag Harbor.

Besides being a self-employed barber for 45 years, he worked for a time at Shaw Aero Industries and Schaffer Bus Company. He also owned and operated East End Handyman. Well known in his community, he was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton, serving as an usher for many years.

Mr. Brown is survived by his three children, Carmen Ross and her husband William of Florida, Deborah Phipps and her husband William of Middle Island and Darrell Odom of Mississippi; eight grandchildren, Liquenda Brown, Natrelle Luckett, Antwon Brown Ward, Kaelyn Brown Ward, William Phipps, Kelsey Odom, Ja’Marious Odom and Kali Odom; five great-grandchildren, Tyler, Trevian, Jaden, Nalaya and Ta’Liyah; a goddaughter, Alaya Brown; two sisters, Bertha Paramore and her husband Alfred and Martha Medlock and her husband Alphonzo; three brothers, Hanson Brown Jr. and his wife Angela, Walter Frank Brown and Kenneth Reginald Brown and his wife Joanne. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Darlene Brown, many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents; three brothers, David T. Brown, George Russell Brown and McArthur Brown; two sisters, Mary Brown and Margaret Ree Brown; and a sister-in-law, Carolyn Brown.

A funeral was held at the First Baptist Church in Bridgehampton on Saturday, September 29; interment followed at Edgewood Cemetery in Bridgehampton. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.

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Willie James Brown Of Sag Harbor Dies September 21

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