Mr. John May Brown, 78, of High Point, NC entered peacefully into eternal rest on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loved ones. He began his life’s journey on December 29, 1946 to Willie Brown and Lucille Ingram Brown in Darlington, SC.

John received his education in the Darlington School System. He attended Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown, NC. His employment began at the age of fifteen. John moved to Detroit, MI. to work for GM Motors. While there he was certified as a Master Mechanic. After moving back to North Carolina, he was hired by Old Dominion Freight Line. Trusting in God, John became the owner and operator of JB Auto Repair for twenty years. Before full retirement, he was employed by K&W Cafeteria and loved working there until it closed.

He met the love of his life, the former Ms. Catherine “Cat” Jenkins in 1968. Six months later on April 12, 1969 they were married. It was love at first sight.

John was an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. As a young man, he was a member of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church. He remained there until the opening of Brown’s Chapel Holiness Church. There he served as the First Gentleman and was ordained as Deacon.

Family meant the world to John. He was always parting wisdom to his son, his daughter and all the young people in his community. John was a Champion Black Belt and had great skills in karate. He trained many of the kids in the JC Morgan neighborhood on how to do karate. John loved his grands and was proud of them. As busy as he was, John was a member of the Burns’ Hill Neighborhood Association and was a former Member of the St James Lodge #22

John was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, BJ Brown, James Brockington, Leo Brown and Sam Brown.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife of 56 years Rev. Catherine Brown; daughter, Tonia Brown of the home; his son, Germaine (Kaye) Brown of High Point, NC; four grandchildren, Tevin, Dia’Vante, Xavier, Germani, and Germaine Brown, II; godson, Jarris Mayfield III; sister, Mary Brown; brothers, Samuel Brown, Willie (Francina) Brown; sisters-in-laws, Mary Brockington, Leila Watson, Rosa Jenkins, Glenda Inzar; brothers-in laws, John Jenkins, Charles Jenkins, William McCloud; aunt-in-law; Katie McNeil; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Guil-Rand Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.