Mr. James Edwin Brown, 95, of Sardis, MS, passed away on Monday, February 20, 2017, at North Delta Hospice House in Southaven, MS.

Mr. Brown was born on October 17, 1921 to The Late Mildred Arnold Brown and James Madison Brown, at his home in the very bedroom where he slept for over 93 years. A native of Sardis, he was a former member of the North Panola School Board of Trustees and was a member of Union Baptist Church where he served over 50 years as an ordained deacon, and taught Sunday school and served as Sunday School Superintendent. He proudly served his country from 1942-1946 in the United States Army Air Force in the 959th Army Base Security Battalion. As a World War II veteran, Corporal Brown served in Iceland as a radio operator who put lost planes back on course. During his service, he was awarded commendations which include the Honorable Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and Rifle Sharp Shooter Medal, which he was most proud of. For over 65 years, he was a member of American Legion, Post 127 in Sardis, where he served as Commander of his post for many of those years and also served 65 years with the Disabled American Veterans, where he served 16 years as state Chaplain, and logged over 3,000 visitation hours at hospitals.

Mr. Brown was a member of Gideon's International where he also served as Chaplain. As a cancer survivor for over 35 years, he was recognized through the Panola County Cancer Society. He was an avid musician who enjoyed playing the guitar and fiddle, and loved to sing. He was especially proud of his family band and of his family in general.

He leaves behind his loving family which includes his two daughters, Wanda Brasher (Bobby) and Carol Darby (Jimmy), both of Hernando, MS; two sons, Milton Brown (Fern) of Sardis, MS and Charles E. Brown (Audrey) of Looxahoma, MS; two sisters, Alene Brown Houston of West Memphis, AR and Frances Jewel Brown Burch of Denham Springs, LA; his "adopted son" Kenny Crawford (Vicki) of Sardis, MS; thirteen grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Juanita O'Neal Brown; his brother, Rawdon Brown; and his first cousin who was like his sister, Mary Ethel Brown Ladner.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 24, 2017 at 11am in Union Baptist Church. Interment will follow, with military honors, in Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held in the Sardis Chapel of Ray-Nowell Funeral Home on Thursday, February 23, 2017 from 5-8pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, Attn: Gift Processing, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301; American Legion - Post 127, c/o Jim Hardin, Sardis, MS 38666; or to Union Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 344, Como, MS 38619.

Ray-Nowell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.