The Reverend Dr. Raymond E. Brown

The Reverend Dr. Raymond E. Brown,was born May 25, 1925, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to William Richard and Verlie Acklin Brown. He became a member of Cross Street Christian Church at an early age where he attended and graduated from the public schools of Little Rock. Ray attended Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas, where he received the Bachelor of Arts degree and was ordained into the Christian Ministry. His Seminary work was done at Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, and the Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree was conferred upon him by Jarvis in 1977. Ray began his pastoral ministry in Hannibal, Missouri, where he served the Willow Street Christian Church for sixteen and one half years. During this time, he met and married Edna Ruth Dixon and they became the parents of seven children � one who preceded him in death. After 34 years of marriage, this union was dissolved by Edna�s death in 1986. Ray married Dr. Suzanne DeMoss Martin on November 30, 1996, after almost ten years of being a widower, and Suzanne brought two children to the marriage. Following his pastorate at Willow Street Christian Church, Ray served as Executive Minister of Piedmont Tri-State District Convention of Christian Churches, headquartered at Reidsville, North Carolina. In 1970, Ray joined the Board of Church Extension of the Christian Church where he served in many capacities: General Consultant: 1970-1972, Assistant Secretary: 1972-1981, Vice President: 1973-1981, and Senior Vice President: 1981-1991. Upon arriving in Indianapolis, he and his family became members of Downey Avenue Christian Church and he has remained an active member for the past 42 years. Ray was committed to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and demonstrated that commitment through his many acts of selfless giving. As early as 1957, he was instrumental in effecting the merger of the Missouri Christian Missionary Convention with the Missouri Convention of Christian Churches. He also played a major role in the merger of the National Christian Missionary Convention with the International Convention of Christian Churches. Ray served as Secretary and President of the National Christian Missionary Convention; and was the first President of the National Convocation of the Christian Church. He also served as the first African American Vice-Moderator of the General Assembly of the Christian Church. He has been a role model and a mentor to many ministers and pastors through his leadership with the Indiana region�s Commission on Ministry. After Ray�s retirement from the Board of Church Extension in 1991, he served interims as: The President of Church Finance Council; Vice President of the three centers of the Division of Homeland Ministries (Center for Congregational Growth and Vitality, Center for Education and Mission, and the Center for Leadership and Ministry); President of the Division of Homeland Ministries; and Pastor of Faith United Christian Church. Ray also served as: The President of Greenwood Cemetery�s Board of Directors; Chair of the Black Disciples Endowment Fund; Chair of the Board of Directors of the Disciples Historical Society; and Secretary of the H.C. Gemmer Family Christian Foundation Board of Directors. Ray is survived by his wife, Suzanne DeMoss Brown; children, Thomas (Sheila) Brown, Raymond L. (Rochelle) Brown, Verlie Cerise (James) Cotton, Ronald Brown, Denola (Phillip) Burton, Michael (Debra James � engaged) Brown, Terry (Gwendolyn) Martin and Cynthia Martin; grandchildren, Chanda (King) Spencer, Kendra Alford, Courtney Brown, Malachi Brown, Danielle Burton, Ciara Burton, Allie Martin and Braden Martin; and four great-grandchildren, TeVaughnt Epps, Tamar Epps, Jada Washington and Marisa Lee. He also leaves to cherish his loving memory, his brothers, Robert (Doris) Brown and John Allen (Christine) Brown; his �godson� John R. (Marilyn) Foulkes; and a host of other relatives and friends. A Memorial Service for Raymond E. Brown will be held Friday, November 9, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. at Downey Avenue Christian Church, 111 South Downey Avenue, with family visitation from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Downey Avenue Christian Church.

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The Reverend Dr. Raymond E. Brown

May 25, 1925 - October 30, 2012