Mr. John Wesley Brown Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Mr. John Wesley Brown, Jr. was born on August 15, 1962 in Walterboro, SC. He transitioned from this life on December 20, 2017 in North Charleston among his loving siblings. He is preceded in death by his parents, John Wesley Brown, Sr. and Theresa Summers Brown. John grew up in Walterboro, SC. He was member of St. Peter’s AME Church where he participated in the Youth Choir, Sunday School Convention, and served as an Usher. He attended school in Colleton County, SC, graduating from Walterboro High School in 1979. John attended the University of South Carolina where he received a bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a certificate in Voice. While at USC, John’s melodious baritone allowed him to travel abroad as a member of the internationally renowned University of South Carolina Concert Choir and the Palmetto Master Singers under the direction of Dr. Arpad Darazs. He later completed his post graduate studies, earning a Master’s degree in Divergent Learning from Columbia College. In addition to pledging the music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, John was initiated into the Omicron Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., on August 20, 1988. Upon graduation from USC, John lived briefly at home in Walterboro where he was a substitute teacher before relocating to Columbia and began working at the South Carolina Department of Social Services. John later changed careers, finding the perfect school to share his musical talent and began teaching children at Horrell Hill Elementary School in Richland School District One. He loved Horrell Hill! Recognized as a Master Teacher, he had a stellar twenty-four-year career during which he was twice named Teacher of the Year at Horrell Hill and served as Lead Elementary Music Teacher of the District. After this successful tenure, he retired in 2014. In addition to teaching music, he shared the gift of piano through “Mr. Brown’s Piano Lessons”, where he delighted in teaching fingers big and little, young and old how to play. He also deejayed at various nightclubs, parties and events around Columbia. “DJ John” was known for getting the party started, providing the ultimate dance experience for all. John loved all kinds of music. Our family home was constantly filled with beats and melodies coming from the garage or bedroom that he shared with his brother, David. At USC, we always knew it was the weekend when he placed his speaker in his dorm window and blasted his beloved Donna Summer in front of the Russell House. John Wesley Brown, Jr. is survived by two brothers, Theodore M. Brown (Sandra) of Summerville, SC and David S. Brown (Denise) of Ladson, SC; three sisters, H. Loretta “Bebe” Brown of Columbia, SC; Karen B. Williams (Randall) of Ladson, SC and Susie T. Brown of Beaufort, SC.; three nephews, Mark D. Brown, John Randall Williams and David S. “DJ” Brown, Jr.; five nieces, Turner N.”Nicci” Brown, Loren R. Williams, Cecelia M. “CeCe” Brown, Dasia S. Brown and Dannielle S. Brown; one uncle, Frederick B. Summers(Karen) of Jamaica Plain, MA; two aunts, Gloria Morris of Walterboro, SC and Bessie McClennon of Augusta, GA; close cousins Marcella Maree “Doobie” Goodwin, LaVerne Capers, Mary Emma Middleton, Amy S. Melvin, Amile L. Summers, Ray Turner and a host of many other relatives and dear friends who miss him. Not only will John be remembered as s talented, kind and gentle soul, he will also be remembered for his wry wit and how he could find humor in even the bleakest of situations. John has always felt that his relationship with the Lord was special and intimate, and we know for sure that he is now in the presence of the Lord.

Mr. John Wesley Brown Jr.

August 15, 1962 - December 21, 2017