Helping Families and Friends Honor Their Loved One

Arville Leroy Brown, age 92

Arville Leroy Brown, age 92, our beloved father, passed away peacefully on 9-23-2019 at his home in Little Rock. He was born 2-12-1927 in Amboy, Arkansas. Leroy began his working career at Brown’s Grocery, his family’s store, when it opened on Baseline Road in 1937. After graduating from Mabelvale High School, he enlisted in the Navy.  A member of the greatest generation, Leroy served as radioman on Navy destroyers during WWII. After the war he married his sweetheart, Mary Elizabeth Hewgley, and they raised their family of four beautiful children together. Leroy continued to work for Brown’s Grocery after the war and in later years as a salesman in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, winning top sales awards. Throughout his life Mr. Brown was active in his church and community. In his retirement years he began preaching and served as pastor of Baseline Christian Church where his mother, Gladys Brown, was a member and where his brother Dearl Brown and wife Helen are active members today. Leroy was a member of the Benton Seventh Day Adventist Church and served as Head Elder, preaching occasionally. He worked for ADRA, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, providing humanitarian and disaster relief in Arkansas. He was also involved with God is Love food ministries. Leroy lived his life being kind, patient and quietly helping others, qualities he practiced daily. He would always find money in his pocket for the homeless, food for the hungry, and a kind word for those who were sad or suffering.  His mantra was “There but for the grace of God go I”.  Leroy and his wife Mary Elizabeth never hesitated to open their home to those in need. A mother with five small children stayed with them for several months and became lifelong friends. He always had a story or a funny joke to bring light and laughter to our lives and was notorious for his wit. He was kind to all creatures great and small.  Leroy adored his cats and dogs and enjoyed feeding the native birds near his home.  He was an accomplished singer and musician on the clarinet and saxophone. His love of music was shared with his family and was instrumental in the musical education of all his children. Many happy hours were spent making music in the Brown home. Leroy was preceded in death by his wife Mary Elizabeth Hewgley Brown, parents, Arvel A. Brown and Gladys Wood Brown, brother Andrew Lamonds, sister Sue Brown Bronson, son, Daniel Leroy Brown, and granddaughter LeeAnn Kelly Elizabeth Brown.  He is survived by his brother Dearl A. Brown & wife Helen, two sons, Joel Brown & wife Sheila, and Timothy Brown, daughter Lori Brown Gasaway, 10 grandchildren, Rachel, Joshua, Stephanie, Danny, Janice, Miles, Travis, Bailey, Michaela, and Mychal; 11 great grandchildren, Landon, Alexis, Sierra, Sawyer, Silas, Jackson, Jacob, Legend, Kendyl, Trevor and Austin; and many nieces and nephews. Leroy will be greatly missed by his family, the community and all blessed to have known and loved him.

Services to celebrate his life will be Friday, 10-4-2019, at the Benton Seventh Day Adventist Church, visitation at 10:00 am, service at 11:00 am.  Internment at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander, AR.  In lieu of flowers please make donations to ADRA.org

Arrangements entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas .  501-982-3400

4 Comments

  • Benette Mikulin Rowley Posted October 1, 2019 7:28 AM

    Lori, you and your family are in my thoughts & prayers. You are a reflection of the incredible life of your father. Strength to you on your recent loss.

  • Mary Banks Posted October 1, 2019 11:25 PM

    Lori, I’m so sorry for your loss. I know what you are feeling having lost a much beloved father eight years ago. The memories will carry you through the difficult times and all that you learned from him will last for a lifetime. His love you will cherish for eternity. Praying for you my friend.❤️🙏🏽

  • Matthew Zimmerman Posted October 2, 2019 12:42 AM

    Rest In Peace and Love to thiss fine man that served his nation in World War II. THANKYOU FOR YOUR SERVICE FOR AMERICA.

  • Howard Burkhalter Posted October 4, 2019 10:48 AM

    Leroy and Mary lived what they preached and brought Love with them everywhere they went. I was truly blessed to know them and experience their Love first hand. They were role models for all of us and will be terribly missed by everyone who knew them. God speed and thank you both for being a living example of God’s Love…

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