Sam W. Brown was born on December 16, 1923 in Gregory, Arkansas to the loving union of Charles Gabe and Georgia (nee Bledsoe) Brown.  He was the youngest of nine children born to this union.

Sam completed his education while in Arkansas and, at an early age, had accepted Christ into his life.

In 1944, Sam met and married Erma Lee Mathews.  The couple later moved to Cleveland, Ohio and subsequently adopted a son, Claude Brown, Jr.

Sam was a quiet man who enjoyed football, basketball, barbequing and traveling back to his home in Arkansas.  He was a hardworking man who was employed as a truck driver for LTV Steel for more than thirty years before retiring in the 1980’s.  Sam was also a very active member of his church – Pentecostal Tabernacle United Church.  He served on the Deacon, Trustee and Usher Boards and was also active within the District and at church conventions.  Sam loved to sing and was a member of the church’s Male Chorus and was the founder of the singing group known as “Men of Faith”.

On July 14, 2008, Sam departed this life.  He is preceded in death by his parents; by his sisters Annie Sue, Luella, Fannie, Maeliza and Leola;  by his brothers Fred, Dan and Tommy Lee;  as well as by his adopted son Claude Brown, Jr.

Those left to mourn and to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 64 years, Erma;  five grandchildren;  a very special nephew, John R. Mitchell, of Cleveland, OH;  a very special niece, Roberta Flemings, of Flint, MI;  brothers-in-law William Mathews, Willie Dee Mathews and Willie Lee Mathews, all of Cleveland, OH;  many other cousins, nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and friends.