Willie James Brown

The life of Deacon Willie James "Pip" Brown began on July 9, 1933. He was a born gifted son of Mary Lou and Neal Brown. He departed this life, March 13, 2021 at his earthly home. He attended and graduated from Autaugaville Training School. It is during this time that he spent time running around and playing with his sisters, brothers, and cousins.

He joined Old Kingston Missionary Baptist Church as a Lil’ lad whereas he served until he left for the Korean Conflict. He later returned in 1956 to home and helped bought up a great bit of land destined to become a Farmer and decided to become united in Holy matrimony to the love of his life, Vera Mae Cooper (Brown), a devoted wife.

He had a kind and compassionate spirit. His laughter, his smile, and his sweet spirit can never be duplicated and will be dearly missed. He was very witty. Loving and caring. He was put into practice being all things to all people. As the legacy of this legend continues, it is evident that for “Pip” it ain’t over, it’s just the beginning of a new journey in heaven.

To this union five beautiful loving and caring children were born. Four daughters and One Son. He is survived by his Three Daughters: Denise Laister, Audrey (Carl) Zeigler, Awbrazenda Brown, and only Son Fredrick James Brown. He and his wife Vera reared four grands as his very own. Theresa Roberts, Darryl, Terrell and Darnell Brown. 14 Grandchildren, and 18 Great grandchildren.

He has one living sister and they were inseparable; Lee Ada (Issac) Jones. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, loving wife and one daughter as well as four sisters and two brothers.

He has several nieces and nephews, cousins and friends that has gone on before him. Pip was loved and respected by many.

He was so fond of all of his sisters and brothers -in- loves. Oh how much did he love his sisters and brothers and its flourished They all preceded him in death.

Pip will be missed from serving as Deacon of the Church that he faithfully attended and served of a live well lived, well served, well loved and well done until his health began to fail him.

Pip served his Country well by serving in the Korean Conflict, a certified Farmer that was well known near and far. It was known he was to go down in history that he was one of the lead person in the Black farmers Lawsuit in Washington, DC. He helped to start the Autauga Chilton Farmers Cooperation whereas as he served as the President, he was President of the Southern Federation Farmers Cooperative. He was the 2000 Merit Farm Family of Tuskegee University recorded in the records. Pip was the first in Alabama to ship the first load of watermelons to Walmart “locally grown” peas, turnips, kale and collards by way of Tuskegee University keeping in mind that job opportunities for others were provided by him.

He spent many long hours going to and from Birmingham Jefferson County Market with produce to feed people in, around and out of state. He was the first blackman in Alabama that owned a cotton picker. He had produce contracts with Winn Dixie and Walmart that went out and reached the shelves in the stores. He attended the Farmers Conferences to learn what he could bring back and share with other Beginning and Small Farmers.

He tried to raise hogs, and cows but he was eating too many of those himself, so he got his son and the three like-sons and changed the game plan.

He found time to "Coach" baseball for several years and was a member of a professional "Coonhound dog'' hunting club that went from state to state exercising hunting techniques. He exposed three of his like sons to his trademarks but only one of them stood the test.

Pip served as a Father legend in and around Alabama and he will greatly be missed tilling the soils with his son and others.

If He could say anything today, we believe it would be "Keep The Dream Alive and Farming Feeds".

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