August 16, 1954 – June 25, 2023
On the Lord’s Day, Sunday, June 25, 2023, Llurick Odell Brown, Sr. departed this earthly home to take residence in his heavenly home. He simply closed his eyes and went to sleep. He was finally at peace and on his way to see his beloved Paulette. Odell had a gracious and giving heart. He was a devoted, loving, dedicated husband and father. He was born August 16, 1954, in Petersburg, Virginia to Mary Alice Stith, Garland L. Brown, Sr. and Obediah Stith, Sr.
At a very early age, Odell has always exhibited a spirit of servitude and giving. He had a smile that would warm any heart. He could be found by his mother’s side often and playing with his younger siblings. Odell had quite a sense of humor and loved to make others laugh. When he was a young child, he was tasked with helping to care for his younger sisters and brother when his mother was hospitalized for an extended period of time. He had such a loving way of assuring us that mom would be okay and returning home soon. He was not even a teenager, but he stepped up to the task with no complaints. This was just the beginning of his countless acts of selfless commitment to help others. He has opened his home to friends and family in need. He was the definition of “Good Neighbor”. “May the work I’ve done speak for me” was the perfect song that describes his life of giving.
Odell was educated in the Petersburg Public School System. He also developed natural athletic ability in a variety of sports that helped to build his speed, strength and agility. Odell also attended John Tyler Community College. He explored a couple of careers before he started his dream job at Allied Chemical in Hopewell, which is Honeywell International, Inc. today. He quickly worked his way to manager and supervisor positions. He loved his co-workers and often volunteered to organize a variety activities and events to good working relationships.
Odell loved to share the story of how he reconnected his faith life while taking his lunch breaks. He would go down to the dock to eat, read the word and reflect. One day he said he heard a voice, someone calling him. He knew instantly that it was God. He would talk to God about his life and the path it was taking. He asked, God to forgive him of his sins and to change his life. That was the beginning of his spiritual walk and transformation, proclaiming “God has called me to preach.” He joined Believe and Receive Ministry, began his theological study with Liberty Bible College and preached his trial sermon.
Presently, Odell was a faithful member and ordained Deacon at Good Shepherd Baptist Church where he serves as one of the Intercessory Prayer Leaders. The Lord gave him the gift of Intercessory Prayer when he rededicated his life to Christ. He would speak often of how God would petition him to pray on behalf of others including local, national and global needs.
Odell received a Service of Recognition Certificate from Allied Chemical/Honeywell International, Hopewell, Virginia for 30 plus years of service. He enjoyed and participated in all types of sports; his favorite being basketball. The Lakers and Cowboys were his favorite teams. On any given Sunday, after church of course, you could find Odell sitting in front of his big screen TV cheering his favorite teams on to victory.
Odell was preceded in death by his wife, of 37 years Paulette Brown; son, Duane Brown; his father, Garland Brown, Sr.; his mother, Mary A. Stith and his father, Obediah Stith, Sr.; mother-in-law, Mildred I. Gordon; father-in-law Raymond Gordon, Sr.; brother, Garland Brown, Jr.; sister, Glenda D. Brown, aunts, Carrie Tarrance, Beverly Mayes, and Margaret Seward; uncles, Melvin B. Stith, Chilon Stith, Sr. and James Mayes; brothers-in law, Ronnie S. Gordon and Raymond Gordon, Sr.; and his sister-in-law, Joyce Jefferson (James).
He leaves to cherish his precious memories;; his devoted son, Llurick Odell Brown, Jr.; devoted godson, Haywood Anderson,; siblings, Ronald L. Brown, Vanessa Carroll (Steven), Odessa Pankey and Obediah Stith, Jr. (Rolanda); aunt Mildred Parham; nieces, Myiah Stith, Brianna Pankey, Rhonda Brown, and Patrice Parker (Donnell); nephew, Obediah Stith III; great nieces, Arianna Parker, Carly Parker, great nephews, Devin O. Brown and Elijah J. Harrison; and a host of cousins, extended family and friends.
Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 1, 2023, at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 2223 South Crater Road, Petersburg, VA, Bishop Jeffrey L. Reaves, Sr., Pastor, eulogist. The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.
Viewing will be held from 11:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M., Friday, June 30, 2023 at the funeral establishment. The family request that bright colors be wore to honor and celebrate the life of both Deacon Brown and Sister Brown.
J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.