Memorial services for Wilmer Burnell Brown, of Brookhaven, are Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, at 2 p.m. at Clear Branch Baptist Church in Wesson with burial at the church cemetery. Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be today, Sept. 22, 2018, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Brown, 95, better known as “Daddy” or “Gigi”, died Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at his residence with his granddaughter, Nay, by his side. He was born Feb. 2, 1923, to Mr. and Mrs. B. M. Brown, of Copiah County. He was married to his wife for 71 years at the time of her passing. He had several jobs over his lifetime. But his longest and most memorable was owner and operator of Brown’s Mercantile, a small country grocery store. He was a good friend to his customers. Many times he got up in the night and opened the store for a customer in need. The store was also a hit with his grandchildren, as they were allowed to get candy when they visited. He was a member of Clear Branch Baptist Church, where he served as a men’s Sunday school teacher and also served as deacon. He loved his family, especially his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved hunting, fishing, playing horseshoes and playing dominoes with his sons, grandsons and great-grandsons. They have many memories to cherish with him.

Preceding him in death were his three brothers; three sisters; and the love of his life, Olene Brown.

Survivors are his son, Winston and his wife, Liz; daughter, Donna (Wooten) and her husband, Howard; son, Rick and his wife, Debbie; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; sister, Dean and her husband, Dan; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank his caregivers Rita, Sherry, Stacy, Jennifer, Pam, Peggy and Martha. He could not have stayed at the home he loved without them. A special thank you also to his hospice ministries and Jenny Jo Pepper, who was so kind to him and guided us through this journey. We also thank his pastor, Brother Wayne Moak, Brother Mike Britt, and his church family for the visits, cards, and love expressed to our dad. You were faithful friends. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105 or to the building fund of Clear Branch Baptist Church, 2166 Clear Branch Lane, Wesson, MS. 39191.

To express your thoughts to the family, visit riverwoodfamily.com and click on his name to leave a comment.