Rev. Jessie Michael Brown

Reverend Jessie Michael “Mike” Brown, 77, of Kingsport, TN, passed away on January 5, 2024. He was born to Jessie and Ruby Brown on February 17, 1946, in Pulaski, VA. Mike was a beloved husband, father, “Peepaw,” and great “Peepaw.”

Mike’s greatest joy in life was his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Hildreth “Jo” Brown, and five children: William and Joanie Brown, Carl and Carrie Brown, Tim and Jill Brown, Laura Brown, and Marti and Brian Timm, nine grandchildren, Jonathan (Hannah) Brown, Christina (Jonny) Haselden, Michael (Carey) Eshbaugh Brown, Nathaniel Brown, Zachary Brown, Selah Brown, Ella Brown, Addison Timm, Kaden Timm and one great-grandson Micah Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie and Ruby Brown, his sister Judy and Chatter Duncan, and his first wife, Faye Hollins Brown.
Mike, also known as Chaplain Brown, dedicated his life to serving others. He received Christ as his Lord at the age of 13. In 1964, he graduated from Northside High School in Roanoke, VA. Mike served his country honorably as a proud Marine from 1964 to 1971, while earning a Bachelor of Arts in History from Lynchburg College in 1969.

Mike’s commitment to his faith led him to touch the lives of many through his ministry. The Lord called him and his first wife, Faye, to missionary service after a revival meeting at the Chamblissburg Baptist Church in the spring of 1971. He joined Baptist Mid Missions in August 1972 and was ordained in February 1973. The same year, Mike and Faye left for Switzerland to attend language school and then moved to the Central African Republic in 1975. After only one year in the Central African Republic, the couple returned home due to Faye’s illness. She passed away in 1976. In 1977, Mike married Jo, who had also been a student at Shenandoah Bible College. They left for Liberia, West Africa, soon after.

Mike and Jo served in Liberia from 1977 to 1989, where they established two churches, trained Liberian pastors in two different Bible colleges, and ministered in medical ministry. They came back in 1989 and were unable to return due to civil unrest in Liberia. Mike’s thirst for knowledge continued, and he obtained a Master of Religion from Liberty University in 1991. Upon graduation, they moved to Northeast Tennessee to work in prison ministry. Mike has had ministries in Northeast Correctional Center in Mountain City, TN, Johnson County Jail, Carter County Work Camp, Mt. View Correctional Center in Spruce Pine, NC, and Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Duffield, VA.

In recognition of his academic achievements and contributions, Mike received an honorary Doctor of Letters from Cambridge Institute of Theology in 2002. Additionally, he has served in many ministries, including music ministry and teaching men’s Sunday School Class at Bible Baptist Church.

Visitation will be held at Bible Baptist Church on Friday, January 12, from 5 pm to 8 pm. A ceremony celebrating Mike’s life will be held at Bible Baptist Church on Saturday, January 13, at 10 am. A graveside service will be held directly after the funeral at Double Springs Baptist Church. Pastor Paul Bufford and Pastor Walter Wagner will officiate. Pallbearers will include four of Mike’s grandsons, Jonathan, Michael, Nathaniel, and Zachary Brown, as well as Frank Vioski, Curtis Contz, Pete Kendrick, and Daniel Bishop. Honorary pallbearers are the Bible Baptist Church Men’s Sunday School Class.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Baptist Mid-Missions in memory of Mike Brown (Acct: 701250). Donations could also be made to a GoFundMe Fundraiser to help further his ministry: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mike-and-Jo-brown