EARL L. BROWN

     Earl Lee Brown, 76, of Worcester, MA, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 surrounded by family and loved ones.

Earl was born March 14, 1945 in Sicily Island, Louisiana to the late Isaac (Ike) and Addie (Morrison) Brown.  Earl graduated from R.B. Hudson High School in Selma, Alabama.  Earl was the rock for his siblings.  The family had to work together in the cotton fields to make money.  They were happy and didn’t know they were poor.  He helped his dad hunting, fishing, and working in their garden.  It was clear to his siblings that he was always there for them. When he saw them in need, he would help without being asked. He would always give them advice.

At an early age Earl moved to Selma where he met and married Emma Ruth (Steele) Brown in 1966.  They gave birth to their son Jackie Lee Brown and later moved to Boston, MA, where they gave birth to their second child, Erma Ruth Brown.  The family later relocated to Worcester, MA.

In Worcester, Earl joined the police force with his very best friend in life, Samuel Bracey.  After leaving the police force Earl spent many years as a Truck Driver for national trucking companies.  Earl’s earlier years he spent working at various jobs such as a meter reader for the Boston Gas Company, driving instructor, chef, and a painter. After graduating from Worcester Technical Institute in 1992 he worked as a welder on the Big Dig Project in Boston.  Earl was a hard worker and family man.   There was nothing more important to him than his family. He had a great love for his family, they meant the world to him.

Emma and Earl joined the Belmont Street A.M.E. Zion Church 46 years ago.  They raised their children in the church, and he participated in many church activities. Earl loved sports and he shared his love as the boys’ basketball coach for the church.  Earl joined the Knights of Zion men’s choir with his son Jackie.  Earl loved to sing.  His favorite gospel song was Precious Memories, which he sang with the Knights of Zion.   The Knights of Zion traveled across Massachusetts singing about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Earl leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 56 years, Emma Ruth (Steele) Brown, his daughter, Erma Ruth Brown of Worcester, MA and his favorite and beloved granddaughter, Naomi. He was predeceased by his son, Jackie Lee Brown and is survived by his daughter-in-law, Holly Brown, three sisters, Rosa Lee Norton of Miami, FL, Addie Brown of Biloxi, Mississippi and Estella Brown of Worcester, MA., a sister-in law, Robin LeShore of Worcester MA, Brother-in-laws, Columbus Steele, Jr. of Worcester MA, Jerry LeShore of Boston MA, Tony LeShore of Andover MA, and Ricky LeShore of Wakefield, MA. and was predeceased by an older brother Ike (Sonny) Brown, a brother-in -law, Jimmy LeShore and a sister-in-law Gayle Moses. He leaves 47 nieces and nephews, 123 great nieces and nephews, 1 great  great nephew.

Earl leaves a host of family, friends and loved ones to cherish his Precious Memories.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings, his funeral service will be held privately on Friday, April 16, 2021 in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester. For those that would like to view his services via livestream, please visit www.mercadantefuneral.com, click on LIVE SERVICES at the top of the funeral browser immediately at 12:00 PM on Friday. Calling hours will be on Friday, April 16^th from 10:00 AM -12:00 PM in the funeral home.