On October 22, 2009 Richard "Ricky" Brown, 55, passed away suddenly at home. He was born on February 22, 1954, in Charleston¸ SC, where he attended public schools. After graduation from Chicora High School, he attended Tyler College in Tyler, Texas before completing his college education at Shaw University in 1977 with a B. S. Degree in Music Education. Upon graduation, he received his Commission into the United States Marine Corps as a 2nd Lt.; having obtained the rank of Captain before honorably resigning his commission in 1981.

Richard was passionate about everything he undertook in life. He was an avid bowler; he loved to fish, and was a former member of the youth football umpire league in Charleston. Richard is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and also a Master Mason (F&AM, PHA) and member of Suburban Lodge #213 Charleston, SC.

Richard gave his life to Christ as a young adult aligning with Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, Charleston SC. There he was a member of the Trustee Board, Choir, and Media Ministry.

On November 1, 2003, he met the love of his life, Dr. Cynthia Williams. They were married on July 30, 2005; uniting two families that shared in their love for each other. After their marriage he moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and became a member with his wife at Goler Memorial AME Zion Church. There he was a dedicated volunteer with the Angel Food Ministries, Trustee Board, and his true love was the Media Ministry. He was most known for his undying loyalty and love to his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin C. and Evelyna S. Brown.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Cynthia Brown; siblings, Shirley Washington, Jannnie Brown, George (VaRhonda) Brown, Norman "Teddy" Brown, Janice (Eddie) Bogan, Keren (Michael) Kearney, Benita (Anthony) Palmer, and Rodney (Sonia) Brown; his mother-in-law, Albertha (Roger) Williams Smith; brother-in-law Michael (Lynell) Williams; one uncle, Samuel Smith; aunts and uncles by marriage, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, and several godchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 12Noon Tuesday, October 27, 2009 from the Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, Charleston, SC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Goler Memorial Trustee Board, 630 N. Patterson Avenue Winston-Salem, NC 27101.