Ralph, or J.R. as he loved being called, died peacefully at his home after a battle with Alzheimer’s. He was born in Anniston, Alabama to Lloyd and Mildred Brown on December 14, 1942. He graduated from Walter Wellborn High School in Anniston, Alabama and Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. He moved to Pearl, MS in 1971 as a Furniture Representative with Kimball Furniture. After 35+ years of successfully working for a variety of companies, J.R. retired and began enjoying a slower pace of life.
J.R. loved to fish, talking about the old days of flying his airplane and Harley Davidson, and telling tall tales of driving cars. If you knew him, you knew of his love for his dog, Gretchen, Alabama football and NASCAR racing. He loved arguing politics but mainly he loved to argue.
J.R. was a member of First Baptist Church of Jackson. He was an active member for 50 years until his health issues and the pandemic made it impossible for him to attend.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Mildred Brown, his sister, Betty Hicks, and his brother, Reverend Bill Brown. He is survived by his son, Greg (Kathy) Brown and his daughter, Jenny (Dustin) Crum. J.R. was so proud of his grandchildren, Hannah (Tyler) Beard, Haleigh (Alex) Collins, and Ava Grace Crum. His great grandson, Ronin Beard, brought him great joy in his final days.
J. R.’s children would like to thank those who took care of him in his final days, Kathy Brown, Jean Thrash, and Hannah Beard.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00am, Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Pearl.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
