John Ben Brown

Rev. J. Ben Brown, 78, went to be with his Lord on March 17, 2015, on one of his favorite holidays. Ben was born in Fitzgerald, Georgia to Robert Wayne Brown and Jesse Gaskins Brown Lightfoot. He graduated from Fitzgerald High School. He served 6 years in the Georgia National Guard.

Ben attended Norman Park Junior College and graduated from Mercer University, Macon, Georgia. Ben attended Southern Baptist Seminary, in Louisville, Kentucky. He was ordained as a minister and served several churches in Georgia and Kentucky. Ben did extensive graduate work at the University of Georgia, East Carolina University and earned a Master’s Degree from Jacksonville University. He was a lifelong Georgia Bulldog fan! He was a member Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, and the American Legion.

Ben taught in several high schools in Georgia and in Jacksonville and served as Assistant Principal in several Jacksonville high schools. He was a Community School Coordinator for Duval County School System. He also taught part time at Florida Community College at Jacksonville. He retired after over 37 years with the School System.

Ben served as Pastor for St. Nicholas Park Christian Church for over 8 years. He was an active member of First Christian Church of the Beaches for many years, serving as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and elder.

Ben met the love of his life, Brenda Bush Brown in Macon Georgia. They were married for over fifty years.

Ben was a very avid outdoorsman, loving fishing, hunting, boating, scuba diving, and traveling.

He was predeceased by his mother and his only sister Sandra Lightfoot Phillips. He leaves behind his wife, Brenda, his son, David Gordon Brown, a granddaughter, Stephanie A. Brown, brother-in-law, Larry Bush (Jennie), nephews, Jonathan Bush and Mike Phillips, nieces, Lauren Bush and Jan Parrish and several cousins including, James Brown.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Reverend Brown, at 2 o'clock Monday, March 23rd, at First Christian Church of the Beaches, Neptune Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to First Christian Church of the Beaches, 2125 Oceanfront, Neptune Beach, FL 32266 or to Community Hospice, 4266 Sunbeam Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32257. Condolences may be left at the website www.hardage-giddenschapel.com