Dr. Ernest S. Brown

Dr. Ernest S. Brown, 84, had his transition on Wednesday, October 07, 2015 at Memorial Health University surrounding by his loving family.


There will be a public viewing at Adams Funeral Services, Inc on Tuesday, October 13th from 10:00a to 6:00p. Members of the family will be there between 5:00p and 6:00p. This will be an open casket viewing.


The Funeral Service will be held at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on Wednesday, October 14th beginning at 12:00p. There will be an opportunity to express reflections beginning at 11:45a.

In accordance with the Episcopal Church traditions, the casket will be closed during the service. St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church is located at 3101 Waters Avenue, Savannah, GA 31404.

***The family is requesting for those in attendance to either service, please bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the church's food bank in memory of Dr. Brown. Also, in lieu of flowers the family requests please make donations to the Savannah State University Scholarship Fund or the charity of your choice.***


OBITUARY: Dr. Ernest S. Brown passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2015. He was the oldest of 11 children, born on April 7, 1931 to A.B. and Maggie Brown in Byromville, Dooly County, GA. He grew up on a farm in Five Points, GA, where he worked in the fields as a young child, making as much as 5 cents a day. He attended and graduated from Flint River Farms School. After graduation and knowing he did not want to continue working on the farm, he packed his belongings and moved to Savannah, GA to attend Savannah State College (now University). He initially majored in auto mechanics however demonstrated a strong aptitude in math. One of his teachers, Mr. William B. Nelson encouraged him to change his major to Industrial Education.


To support himself while in college, Dr. Brown worked at several local bakeries, including Gottliebb's and BonTon. He was proud that several bakeries requested him for employment based on his reputation of having a strong work ethic. After completing his second year of college, he was drafted by the US Army to serve in the Korean War. He served as a corpsman and was honorably discharged after two years. He returned to Savannah State to complete his education. He pledged to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in 1956. He took great pride in that he was financially current for every year of membership. While attending Savannah State, he met and married the former Gloria E. Spaulding. From that union, four children were born, Ernest L., Saralyn D., Reginald V., and Yolanda P.


After graduating from Savannah State in 1957, Dr. Brown accepted his first teaching job at Hubbard High School in Forsyth, GA. The following year he taught at Douglass High School in Montezuma, GA. He was offered the opportunity to come back to Savannah and accepted a position as a Shop Teacher in the first faculty for the then new Sol Johnson High School. During his career in Chatham County Schools, he also taught at Scott Junior High and Savannah High Schools. During this time, he attended Bradley University where he received his Masters Degree in Industrial Education.


To supplement the family income, Dr. Brown built cabinets for many residents in Savannah He took great pride in the quality of his work. He mentored and helped steer several young men to woodworking as a career. He often commented that he taught some of the best cabinet makers in Savannah. While at Scott Junior High School, he met and married Annetta James Gilford. He also became a father to her son, Anthony J.


Dr. Brown was offered a tremendous opportunity to return to his college alma mater to teach. He accepted a job working in the Technical Sciences division. While there, he was selected for a program to work on and complete his Doctorate Degree in Vocational Education at the University of Missouri.


He retired from Savannah State College in 1986 as an Associate Professor Emeritus of Engineering Technology and began employment with the City of Savannah, working as a Cemetery Superintendent. He laid out Laurel Grove South as it is today. He made the street signs and made sure people could find their loved ones grave sites without difficulty. During this time, he also served as the Building Inspector for the town of Thunderbolt and was eventually elected to its Town Council. After retiring from the city and leaving the council, he spent his free time building cabinets, gardening and helping others in the community.


Dr. Brown had a strong religious life. He grew up in New Hope Baptist Church in Five Points as a child. He was formerly a member of St. Paul Baptist Church, joining under the pastorate of Rev. A. E. Hagins in the mid 1950's. He later joined St. Matthews Episcopal Church, joining under the pastorate of Rev. Harry Nevels in the late 1960's. He labored diligently in a variety of roles including the Vestry. He recently attended St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, joining under the pastorate of Rev. Kevin Kelly, where he was a faithful member.


Dr. Brown was the exemplification of a good man who walked by faith. He was a hard worker who loved his family and was not afraid to share his opinion regarding his thoughts and beliefs. He was a perfectionist with respect to how he converted sheets of wood into custom cabinets. He had high expectations with every task he took on. With help from several friends, he built the house that he lived in. Dr. Brown did whatever it took to ensure that his family was well taken care of. He loved talking to others about his life journey from the cotton fields to college and the impact it had on his life. He hoped that sharing these anecdotes would inspire others to focus on the great opportunities in life instead of the obstacles.


Dr. Brown is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Helen (Waverly) Martin and Pauline Brown, brothers Tom (Ernestine) Brown and Paul Brown.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 46 years Annetta and children Ernest (Nettie) Brown of Lithonia, GA, Saralyn Brown of Savannah, GA, Reginald Brown of Hephzibah, GA, Yolanda Brown of Atlanta, GA and Anthony Gilford of Latorte, TX. He leaves behind siblings Thelma Journey of Montezuma, GA, Gladys (John) Arnold of Fairburn, GA, Lillian (Robert) Johnson of Stone Mountain, GA, Stanley Brown of Montezuma, GA, Emmitt (Virginia) Brown of Oglethorpe, GA and Mary (William) Jenkins of Savannah, GA. He also leaves behind 12 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.


In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be sent to the Savannah State University Scholarship Fund or the charity of your choice.




Please convey your thoughts and remembrances of Dr. Brown using the links on our website: www.AdamsFuneralServicesInc.com

Come in at your convenience to pay your respects and sign the guestbook. There will be an open casket.

Open to the public with an open casket.

There will be an opportunity to express reflections beginning at 11:45a.