Steven Wardlaw Brown, age 69, was born May 17, 1951, and went home to be with his Lord at his home surrounded by loving family on February 3, 2021. He was preceded in death by parents, Wardlaw and Marion Brown, first wife, Aledeia (Candy) Brown; sister Caroline Perry, brothers Jerry Brown, Harrison Brown, Gilbert Perry and Ron Goosby. Steven is survived and will be deeply missed by his wife, Barbara; children: Steven Erik Brown, Tatiana (Chris) Williams, SunKeria Brown and Jasmine Brown; 11 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; brother, William “Billy” Perry, sister, Deborah McGee, sisters-in-law, Frieda E. Perry, and Wanda Bennett, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and a host of friends.
Steven was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan. At a very young age, he lived with his paternal grandfather's sister, Bess Eve and her husband, William Bostic, in Dyersburg, Tennessee. He began his formal education there until he was reunited with his siblings in Detroit, Michigan in 1963. He received an Associate’s Degree in 1977 from Jackson Community College. He moved to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1979 and soon thereafter received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He married Aledeia (Candy) Bennett in 1980. They raised 2 daughters and a son and were married for 24 years.
Over the years Steven worked in many nonprofit organizations including a father’s program, helping single dads, New Beginning Center, Episcopal Ministries and MN Teen Challenge. He had a heart to mentor and help young men find their way and excel. He also worked in real estate and mortgages.
After Steven’s first wife Aledeia’s untimely death in 2004, he was able to rediscover love in the person of Barbara Leone. They were married and blessed to have 15 years of marriage. They traveled the world together and enjoyed a growing relationship with the Lord and with each other. His devotion to his wife and family was evident.
Steven loved to visit his family in Michigan and made many trips there. He loved to visit the Minnesota north shore, vacationing in Lutsen, Tofte and Grand Marias. One of his most impressionable trips was one to Israel in 2013, a trip he and his wife Barbara took with friends.
Pastor Steve, as he was familiarly known, had been a devoted member of River of Life Christian Church for over 40 years. His spiritual gifts were encouraging and mentoring. He served in the New Members and Prison ministries. He loved to worship the Lord in song. Over the years, he served as a deacon, an elder and became one of the ordained Associated Pastors. In the last few years, because of his challenge with pancreatic cancer, he ministered and encouraged young people through Facebook.
We celebrate the life and mourn the death of a true man of God. We cherish the memories of Pastor Steven Brown. He will always be loved, honored and remembered.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Steven Wardlaw Brown to: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, or online at pancan.org
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