Retired Major Willie James Brown, Sr.

Obituary For Retired Major Willie James Brown, Sr.

Willie James Brown, Sr. was born on October 14, 1949 in Cowpens, South Carolina to the late
Uzie Brown, Sr. and Alline Lavonna (Gaffney) Brown. Deacon Brown was baptized at the age
of 12 in the Foster’s Grove Baptist Church, where he remained a member throughout his life
until his passing on September 2, 2025.
Willie attended the Ralph J. Bunch Elementary School in Cowpens, S.C. and he graduated
from the Benjamin E. Mays High School in Pacolet, S.C. in 1967. He continued his education at
Cecil’s Business College and Spartanburg Community College, and graduated with an
Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Spartanburg Methodist College in 1980.
Deacon Brown spent virtually all of his professional life in Law Enforcement. In 1975 Willie
joined the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office. During his tenure with the Sheriff’s Office, he
graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and received extensive
specialized law enforcement training. In 1977 he was promoted to sergeant of Uniformed
Patrol. In 1983 he was promoted to Lieutenant of the Uniformed Patrol, and in 1990 He was
promoted to Captain of Uniformed Patrol. In 1992 Brown was promoted to Chief Deputy, which
was the second in command under the County Sheriff. Willie Brown was the first black
supervisor in the history of the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s office, and the first black Chief
Deputy. Willie Served on the Board for Safe Home Rape Crises Center, Children’s Advocacy
Center, Stop the Violence Coalition, Spartanburg Ministries, and Masonic Lodge #177. Major
Brown was a member of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association. In 1997 he
was presented with the Torch of Freedom Award from the East Spartanburg County NAACP.
Throughout his life, Deacon Willie James Brown was actively and consistently engaged in the
life of the church. He participated in the Baptist Training Union and sang in the Foster’s Grove
Youth Choir, the Senior Choir and the Men’s Choir. He was active in Sunday School, as well as
the Men’s Ministry, the Marriage Ministry and also provided leadership for Church Security.
Deacon Brown served as a Trustee for many years and later became Church Treasurer, a
capacity in which he served faithfully for more than 30 years. As Chair of the Deacon Board,
Deacon Willie Brown helped to steer the church through its transitional years from the old
sanctuary and was very instrumental in the planning, implementation and entrance into the new
Foster’s Grove Baptist Church facility.
Deacon Willie James Brown, Sr. leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife, Cornelia (Murphy)
Brown, two sons, Willie James Brown, Jr. (Nicole), and Brandon Christopher Brown; five
grandchildren, Inaaji Aries (Jose), Caleb Smith Brown, Gabrielle Sherman (Branden), Haley
Brown, Isiah Brown; two great-grandchildren, Jasmine Smith and Giovanni Sherman, two God-
grandchildren, Talue and Nijoni Vincent; two brothers, Zebedee Brown (Effie) and Uzee Brown,
Jr., two sisters, Ethelene Brown (Palmer) and Delois Marie Brown (Daniels); nieces and
nephews, Gail Brown Henderson (Michael), Stephanie and Stephon Brown, Brenda and Linda
McGill, Odis “Butch” Dawkins, Cynthia Dawkins, Sonya L. Palmer, Jason Palmer, David
Daniels, IV (Alindria), Deandrea Daniels Lamar (Willie), and a host of great nieces and
nephews, and other relatives and friends. A life well-lived, and a heart that touched so many,
his life will live on in the lives of those he cherished and those who cherished him.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 12:00 noon at Foster Grove Baptist Church, Chesnee, SC. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 8, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at The John Stinson Woodward Memorial Chapel, 602 Howard St., Spartanburg, SC.