Thomas J. Brown

On December 31, 1952, Thomas James Brown was born in Moncks Corner, South
Carolina, to the late Edmond Brown and Frances Thomas Brown. He was the fourth of
five sons, following Edmond, Jr., Rufus (Vikki), and William (Billy), and preceding Walter
(Bernard). He was also blessed with a bonus sister, Patricia (Pat) Johnson. His parents,
Edmond, Jr., Rufus (Vikki), and Patricia preceded him in death.

Affectionately known as Tommy, he leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife,
Mary Jefferson Brown; his children, Avery Brown (Shelby) of Atlanta, Georgia, Avis
Brown Nelson, and Ashley Brown Washington (Dero) of Moncks Corner, South
Carolina. He was a proud grandfather to Cayden, Dominic, Ethan, Maliyah, Noah,
Isaiah, Desirea, Christina, and Elijah.

Thomas is also survived by his brothers, William C. Brown (Billy) and Walter Bernard
Brown of Moncks Corner, South Carolina; and a sister in love and upbringing, Margaret
M. Graham (Marvin) of Charleston, South Carolina.

Thomas began his education at R.A. Ready Elementary School, where he completed
the eighth grade. He attended Berkeley Training High School as a member of the Class
of 1968 before transferring to Berkeley High School, graduating with the Class of 1971
in Moncks Corner. During his high school years, Tommy demonstrated outstanding
leadership and involvement. He served as Freshman Class President in 1968 at
Berkeley Training and was a member of the Wildcat Paper staff. He also participated in
the French Club, Chorus, Library Club, Senior 4-H Club (serving as President), Future
Farmers of America, and the Moncks Corner Branch Youth NAACP.

Following high school, he enrolled at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina,
where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in French in 1975. While attending Claflin,
he sang and toured with the university's Gospel Choir.

Thomas was a founding member of Truth Tabernacle in Cordesville, South Carolina,
under the leadership of Pastor Henry E. Dixon.

In 1976, Thomas enlisted in the United States Army, where he faithfully served for more
than twenty years, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class before retiring at Fort Sill,

Oklahoma. His first assignment was in Germany, where he and Mary settled after their
marriage on May 22, 1977. Throughout his military career, he was stationed at Fort
Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Ord, California; West Point, New York; and Fort Sill,
Oklahoma, along with unaccompanied assignments in Turkey and Korea. At each duty
station, Tommy remained steadfast in his faith, teaching and preaching God's Holy
Word through various Bible-based ministries.

While on active duty, he earned a Master of Science degree in Education from Long
Island University in New York.

After retiring from the Army, he continued his commitment to service and education by
working with Wichita Public Schools (USD 259) in Kansas. Upon returning to the
Lowcountry, he served at the College of Charleston as Upward Bound Coordinator
before becoming Director of Educational Talent Search at Trident Technical College,
where he faithfully worked until his retirement in 2018.