Billy Glenn Brown was born on January 13, 1954, to the late Billy Gene and Laura Brown of Russellville (Tharptown), AL. He gained his wings on February 26, 2025, at the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Hospital in Birmingham, AL. Billy loved God with all his heart and was an active Elder at the Healing Fountain Apostolic Church in Sheffield, AL. He faithfully served alongside the late, great Bishop Thomas Owens, dedicating over forty-nine years to ministry and bringing many souls to Christ. From the street corners of West Mobile in Florence, AL, to the Healing Fountain Mission Church in Athens, AL, Billy never missed an opportunity to preach the Gospel. He deeply loved Healing Fountain and his church family, remaining devoted to them and his faith until the very end.
Billy was also an avid hunter and fisherman and had a passion for gardening and farming. He could often be found in the woods or by the riverbank on any given day of the week. He never missed a season to plant his garden, and he generously shared his harvests and game with many in the community. Billy firmly believed that no one should go to bed hungry, especially
when God provides for us and blesses us through serving others. He lived by the principle of being his brother’s keeper, demonstrating it daily through his countless acts of kindness in his neighborhood.
Mr. Brown owned and operated Brown’s Heavenly Fish in Tuscumbia, AL, with his first wife, the late Christine Brown, for about nine years before her passing and the onset of COVID in the community. Billy never met a stranger—many of the restaurant’s loyal customers became his friends. His signature gold-toothed smile was a familiar sight in the community, always accompanied by a kind word or a conversation about the Lord, his time in the Marine Corps, or his love for the outdoors. He truly embodied the belief that “one word or conversation can change things,” never missing a chance to greet or uplift those he encountered.
Billy Glenn Brown was one of the friendliest people you could ever meet. He was deeply loved and is already missed by his community and in our hearts.
He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Christine Brown along with a special cousin-nephew, Joel Lemar Ricks, great-niece, Amber Killings and wonderful friend, Big O.
He leaves to mourn his passing, a beloved wife, Gwendolyn Brown; one son, Emmanuel (Paula) Brown, Tuscumbia, AL; two daughters, Tabitha Brown, Tuscumbia, AL; Shelia Brown, Birmingham, AL; stepsons, Mark (Elizabeth) Harris, Jackson, TN and Paul Harris, Dallas, TX; one stepdaughter, Daniela Harris, Huntsville, AL; grandchildren, Tavian Brown, Caleb Brown, Chloe Brown, and Chelsea Brown, all of Tuscumbia, AL; stepgrandsons, Darien Harris, Huntsville, AL and De’Nico J. Markell Harris, Florence, AL; sisters, Patricia Brown Johnson, Russellville, AL and Carrie Helen Wright, Newark, DE; brother-in-law, Jonathan Ray Galloway, San Diego County, CA; sisters-in-law, Jacquline (Phillip) Jolivet, and Marilyn (Lafayette) Martindale, both of Pearland, TX; nieces, Lygenia Brown, Sheffield, AL, Melanie Killings, Russellville, AL, Erica (Chris) Ratliff, Minnesota, MN; nephews, Abraham (Jamie) McArthur, Gabriel McArthur, Russellville, AL, Leeron Wright, Philadelphia, PA; a special niece and nephews, Crystal (Shane) Lovelady, Birmingham, AL and Lorenzo Burke, Marcus Burke, both Tuscumbia, AL, and Benjamin Ricks, Muscle Shoals, AL; significant friends and family, Dwight and Beverly Haley, Oppia Burke, Idell Ricks, Pastor Ervin and Rose Ricks, Pastor Sandra Owens, Apostle Richard and Renee Taylor, Elder Leon and Marsha Ricks, Missionary Tina Abernathy, Herb Robinson, Quincy Smith, Minister James Lacey, Cecil and Minnie Smith, Elder Michael and Evangelist Victoria Hodges, Elder James and Evangelist Callie Clay; Elder Lintord and Doctor Patricia Sanders, Elder Junru and Debra Roland, Pastor Michael Jackson, Pastor Keith Prince, Albert Goodloe, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation with the family will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson and Son Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. Funeral service for Elder Brown will be 12 p.m. Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Healing Fountain Apostolic Church, Sheffield, burial will follow in Shoals Memorial Gardens, Tuscumbia. The body will be placed in the church at 11 a.m. The public viewing will be Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thompson and Son Funeral Home, Tuscumbia, directing.
