ALLEN FRANKLIN BROWN

Allen
Franklin Brown
October 4, 1963
Life Awakened February 14, 2025
Heavenly Sleep
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. at Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home, 3580 Robinson Road, Jackson, Mississippi 39209, 601-922-3666. Pastor Clinton Gerome Brown will officiate, African Methodist Episcopal Church.
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The Life and unforgettable Memories of Allen Franklin Brown (“Big Al”)
Birth
Allen Franklin Brown was born on October 4, 1963, in Pickens, Mississippi, to loving parents Marcus Cornelius (Shug) and Wilma McCullum Brown. He was the second son born during the couple’s union and the fifth of eight children born to the couple. His brother, George Earl Brown, was from a previous marriage of Allen’s dad. Both of Al’s parents preceded him in death. His father died in 1989 and his mother in 2007.
Faith
Allen began his religious journey at Pleasant Grove AME Church, where he attended until he left the State of Mississippi to travel the world. He remained faithful to his Methodist religious heritage upbringing and background as he traveled and lived in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee. Allen was an ordained AME Zion pastor who visited numerous churches, houses of worship, and chapels. Allen never lost faith in GOD regardless of any struggles he may have endured.
Education
He graduated from Benton High School as one of forty-four students in the class of 1981. He enrolled in and attended Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi in 1981. While attending college, Allen joined the National Society of Pershing Rifles (NSPR), a military-oriented honor society and registered student organization through the Department of ROTC at Alcorn State University. He completed all the course requirements for his major early on December 13, 1984. During 1984, the University only had one graduation, So Allen graduated in May 1985, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Science.
Military Service and
Employment
After graduating from high school and before going to college, Allen joined the US Army Reserves, a Military organization that provides part-time service opportunities for individuals wanting to serve their country. Allen became a member of the A Maintenance 173 Petroleum Pipeline and the US Army Reserves Command 81st Unit in Greenwood, Mississippi. Allen worked and trained the first weekend of each month. Allen served three tours of duty during the Gulf Wars. He received an honorable discharge after his final active-duty tour. He was awarded numerous Army Reserve Achievement Medals during his military career. They are:
· National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award)
· Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
· Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
· Armed Forces Reserve Medal
· Armed Forces Medal W/M Devices
· Armed Service Ribbon
· Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon
· Army Lapel Button
Allen learned hard work from his parents, who always preached getting a good education, learning as much as you can at any job you work, and having a back-up skill to fall back on if needed. He started a career as a correctional officer at Parchman Penitentiary and continued to work as a correctional officer at Arrendale State Prison in Alto, Georgia. After many, many years in corrections, he left and became a certified truck driver and was employed with companies such as Cos Enterprises of Atlanta, Indianapolis Travelers, and Boyd Transportation. His military and work career spanned over 21 years.
Family Life
Allen always raved on his one and only daughter, Ashley Brown Parks. He was a devoted father and active father. He has two grandchildren, but he never got the chance to experience the joy of being a doting grandparent. Allen was married and divorced three times. His former wives are Michelle, Angela, and Karen.
Allen returned from his last tour of duty diagnosed with PTSD and other mental health issues as a result of his service in the Gulf Wars. He complained constantly about the medication he was prescribed and how it made him feel weird. So, he stopped taking it and would not accept the mental intervention he needed. Allen didn’t want to have the stigma that came with a mental health diagnosis.
During his life, Allen lost my loved one. His dad died of nonsmokers’ cancer, and his infant sister, Geraldine died suddenly of pneumonia. His baby sister, Mary died in a tragic car accident, hit by a drunk driver. His half-brother, George, died from complications related to long-term substance use. His sister, Merley died suddenly of a massive heart attack. After the death of his mother due to breast cancer, he set out to travel the world, and he did for more than fifteen years with his siblings praying for his safety, wellbeing and keeping track of him from state to state. While traveling the world, he lost his nephew, Marcus Cornelius (Lil Marcus) Brown III, who died from COVID-19-related complications.
Allen became ill on June 3, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was hospitalized at MedStar Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore until September 16, 2024. He was transported from Baltimore to Mississippi and admitted September 17, 2024 to the Mississippi VA Veterans Nursing Home in Kosciusko, MS to be closer to family. Allen made some progress but also endured numerous illnesses and hospitalizations. He was admitted to the G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi on January 10, 2025, where he underwent extensive treatment for various illnesses. He was displaying signs of improvement when he suffered a tragic injury leading to an inoperative life-threatening subdural hematoma. He finally succumbed to the injuries on the day of Love, Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14, 2025. Allen’s siblings were by his side, loving and supporting him until his peaceful transition. Allen left Earth knowing he was loved and will continued to be loved.
Big Al leaves family, relatives, and friends to mourn his loss and cherish the wonderful memories. His daughter, Ashley Brown Parks (spouse) and two grandchildren in Snellville, Georgia. Two sisters, the oldest sister, Dorothy Brown Harris in Jackson, Mississippi. Sister, Catherine Brown Jackson (Robert) in Sacramento, California. Two brothers, Marcus Brown II (Brenda) in Ridgeland, Mississippi His a baby brother, Clinton Gerome Brown in Albany, New York. His double one cousin, Calvin Troy Thomas who was raised as a brother. Allen also leaves seven nephews: Stanley, Bobby, Terrell, Robert Rance, C.J, and Daniel and Cortez. Three nieces: Erin, Marcella, and Mykal.
Visitation is Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 9:00 a.m till 6:00 p.m. at Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home at 3580 Robinson Road, Jackson, MS 39209. Telephone number 601-922-3666. The Repast is also Thursday from 6:30 p.m, until 10:00 p.m at the Westhaven Banquet Hall at 200 Shady Lane, Jackson, MS 39209. The corner of Raymond Road and Shady lane in Jackson.