JAMES MARLIN BROWN
James Marlin Brown was born on October 22, 1945 to Roland and Estelle (Andrews) Brown. He was born at home at 1304 North May in Madisonville where he was raised. He was baptized and grew up in the First Baptist Church in Madisonville where he was a faithful member for seventy-five years. If the church was open, he was usually always there early to visit and greet people. After graduating Madisonville High School in 1964, he attended Sam Houston State University and graduated with a Business degree. He married Barbra Elaine Warden after college. They bought a house at 1310 North May (two houses from where he was born) where he lived until he was called home to be with the Lord on August 31, 2021. They had two children, James Heath Brown and Rebekah Elaine (Brown) Sagen.
He worked summers during college at the State Highway Department and worked full time after college, working his way up to Transportation Supervisor at the Madisonville office when he retired after almost thirty-five years. He retired in 2000 and Heath and wife, Kim and grandson, Matthew Brown lived next door. He and Matthew were inseparable. They did everything together. He was a loving and supportive dad, grandfather, brother, uncle, and his son’s best friend.
Heath says, “James was truly the humblest Christian man I have ever met in my life. He truly tired to live by God’s word and examples.” He never met a stranger. His introduction was “I’m James Brown, I don’t sing or dance but got the name”. He is now singing and dancing and praising the Lord. In reality, he did sing and play the guitar. He started playing a Gibson hollow body electric guitar in college with a group led by Edgar Chairs. They played at fairs and events occasionally. He shared his musical gift with Heath, as well, and they played guitars at holidays and family events.
James was truly a family man and would tell you one of God’s greatest gifts was his family and friends. He took care of his mother, Estelle Brown, until her passing at 100 years old. He departed this world with no earthly treasures, but Heavenly treasures stored up. Even though he had aches and pains and nearly died from a tractor accident in 2019, you would never know it. He always had the biggest smile and was so happy to see and help people. He was truly a people person. He was always helping family, friends and fellow church members with anything and everything. He was in the church group with Tommy Tucker, Paul Tucker, Clarence Long, and numerous others who build wheelchair and handicap porches and ramps for people in need. He was always helping someone. James is proceeded in death by his wife, Barbra Elaine (Warden) Brown.
James is survived by his son, James Heath Brown and wife, Kimberly Long Brown; daughter, Rebekah “Becky” Elaine Brown Sagen and her husband, Ed Sagen; grandchildren, Matthew Brown, Megan Hogan, Haily Brown, Seth Sagen; honorary grandkids, Colten Long and Zoe Long-Berry; sister, Hellen Cole and husband, Arnold Cole; nieces and nephews, Steven and Katherine Cole family, Cody Cole, Hannah Cole; and numerous extended family and friends. He will truly be missed every day and can never be replaced. The world was a better place with James in it.
Funeral services for James will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, September 18, 2021 at First Baptist Church, Madisonville, Texas. A public visitation will take place Friday, September 17th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the church. Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas is in care of all arrangements.
