Bennie L. Brown

Bennie L. Brown, 92, of Freeport, passed away, Thursday, February 2, 2017 at Stephenson County Hospice Center. Bennie was born to Nathaniel and Lillian Brown on April 10, 1924. Bennie grew up on the South Side of Chicago where he worked as a waiter on the Abraham Lincoln passenger Train. At 19, he was drafted (1943) and headed to Europe on the Susan B. Anthony. His unit the "309 Quartermasters Railheads" was a part of the D-Day invasion at Normandy. His service ended in 1946 as Sergeant Brown. On February 24, 1946 he married Bernice Jones. In 1953, with sons, the family moved to Freeport. Bennie retired from Micro Switch after 33 years as a Supervisor. He was Co-owner with Joe William of the Cities East Side Service Station, also Eastside Laundromat, was a part-time Barber. He worked for J C Penney, Courier for FHN, and was a Bus driver for MLK. For 60 plus years he was a faithful member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Bennie served twenty years as 3rd Ward Alderman and 15 years on the Stephenson County Board. His Honors/Awards include "Legacy of Service", "City of Freeport Proclamation-Bennie Brown Day", Freeport Township Award, Freedom of Residence, Illinois House, House of Reps, MLK (Boys& Girls Club) Awards, just to name a few. He is preceded by his wife, Bernice; brother, Albert; and sister, Doris Dalton. A very heartfelt "Thank-you" to Alan, Sam, Joyce, Fay, Roy, the McGee's, UW- VA, SCNC Hospice, St. Paul MBC and Burke Tubbs. A memorial has been established in the name of Bennie L. Brown: Son, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Grandpa Brown, Uncle Buddy, and "Pops". Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday February 11, 2017 at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Visitation will be Friday 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home. Please sign Bennie's guestbook and share a memory at www.burketubbs.com