Willie James Brown Dies at 70

Master barber and longtime Sag Harbor resident James Willie Brown died Friday.

Born May 22, 1942, to Hanson and Effie M. Redding Brown in Dooly County, Georgia, he was 70 years old.

Brown was one of 11 siblings. He was educated in the Dooly County Public School System and began barbering at an early age. Shortly after graduating, he moved to Orlando, Fla.

Brown moved to Long Island in the 1960s and earned his certification as a master barber.

After meeting the love of his life, Ruth M. Martin, they married and lived together in Sag Harbor.

Brown had three children, Carmen Vanessa Brown, Deborah Ann Brown and Darrell Brown Odom.

"James Brown was a loving father and made sure each of his children knew the depth of his love," his family wrote.

He worked for a time at Shaw Aero Industries and Schaefer Bus Company, and was self employed as a barber for 45 years. He also owned and operated East End Handyman.

"James Brown was well known in the community for helping others," his family said. "He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton, and served as an usher for many years."

He is predeceased by his mother and father, and his brothers David T. Brown, George Russell Brown and McArthur Brown and sisters Mary Brown and Margaret Ree Brown.

In addition to his children, Brown is survived by grandchildren Liquenda Brown, Natrelle Luckett, Antwon Brown Ward, Kaelyn Brown Ward, William Phipps, Kelsey Odom, Ja’Marious Odom and Kali Odom, and great-grandchildren Tyler, Trevian, Jaden, Nalaya and Ta’Liyah. He is also survived by sisters, Bertha Paramore and Martha Medlock and brothers Hanson Brown Jr., Walter Frank Brown and Kenneth Reginald Brown. Also, a host of godchildren, nieces nephews and brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Visitations will take place Sept. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton. The funeral will be Saturday at the church at 11 a.m., officiated by the Rev. Frank Bryant, followed by interment at Edgewood Cemetery in Bridgehampton.

Information prepared by the family, provided by Brockett Funeral Home and edited by Patch.