William "Jabo" Haydon Brown

It is with great sadness that the family of William “Jabo” Haydon Brown, of North Little Rock, AR, announce his passing on November 17th, 2021, at age 85, after a long, courageous health battle. Jabo, who was the son of William “Bill” Adam Brown and Mary Etta Haydon Brown, was born on June 30, 1936, in Perry, AR. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as brother Gene “Butch” Raymond Brown, and son John Thomas Brown. Jabo will be lovingly remembered and missed by his wife Maria Claudette Tobey Brown of North Little Rock, AR, brother Dave Brown and wife Pat of Oklahoma City, OK, sister Becky Ellis and husband Ed of Conway, AR, sons Rick Brown and wife Rita of Milwaukee, WI, Jerry Brown and wife Debbie of Rogers, AR, and Greg Brown of Houston, TX. Jabo will be fondly remembered as the doting “Papa” to his grandchildren Austin Brown, Adam Brown, Seth Brown and wife Kalie, Aaron Brown, Hannah Baker and husband Tommy, and Lucas Brown and wife Julia, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Jabo and Maria were lifelong members of Levy Baptist Church in North Little Rock, AR.

Jabo worked as a contractor with his father Bill starting at the age of 18. He continued doing small jobs even after the age of retirement. He just couldn’t stop the work he learned and loved at such an early age and was exceptional at any project he undertook.

William Haydon was known as “Jabo”. At 6 months old, he contracted pneumonia while living with his parents, Bill and Mary Etta at Bill’s grandmother’s farmhouse in Oppelo, AR. The local doctor, Dr. Stanley, would make house calls and he had a pet monkey named Jabo who would amaze and comfort his patients. Dr. Stanley told Bill and Mary Etta that Haydon reminded him of his little pet monkey, so he started calling him Jabo. And it stuck for 85 years.

Jabo was dedicated to providing and caring for his family, wife Maria and their 4 sons. Jabo and Maria were married very young and started their family at the age of 18 and 17 respectively. On December 30, 2021, they would have celebrated 67 years of marriage. Jabo was crazy about Maria and loved her with all his heart. In the last few years, and especially the last few months, Maria has had her own health challenges and Jabo has been her caregiver. When asked if they needed help, he always said, “No we are doing just fine”. When he became very ill and hospitalized on October 1st and placed on a ventilator, we didn’t know if he would pull through. But with God’s help he did pull through and once he started talking again, his main and only concern was for Maria. They were able to visit by FaceTime a few weeks ago and Jabo would say, “I love you Maria very much! I want to see you Maria!”. When going into assisted living on his last day on earth Jabo was instructing us all that he needed Maria’s chair by the window and he needed an extra chair for her at the dining table. He loved her and his heart’s desire was to reunite with the love of his life.

The family will receive friends for visitation and viewing on Sunday, November 21, 2021 from 2pm-5pm at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home, 5800 W 12th St, Little Rock, AR 72204. Graveside services and interment will be on Monday, November 22, 2021 at 11am at Rest Hills Memorial Park “Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home”, 7724 Landers Rd, North Little Rock, AR 72117.