10/09/2024

Obituary for Cleophus Brown

Retired Owner of C. Brown Funeral Home

Mr. Cleophus Brown, 76, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, October 5, 2024. A prominent figure of the greater Toledo area and loved by so many, Mr. Brown took pride in supporting his community, always doing the right thing, working hard, and having a good time. He was an avid fisherman, bowler, car racer, citizens band radio broadcaster, board game player, gardener, cook, and jokester.

Mr. Brown was born November 27, 1947, in Brickeys, Arkansas to the union of Mr. and Mrs. James R. and Evelyn Brown. He was one of 11 children. In 1949 the Brown family moved to Toledo, OH, and helped establish the Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, where he has been a member ever since. Mr. Brown was a 1965 graduate of Irving E. Macomber Vocational High School and had close ties to Jesup W. Scott High School. After graduating he served his country in the U. S. Army. In 1968 he graduated from the University of Toledo, later graduating from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1970.

From a young age, Mr. Brown knew that he wanted to be a Funeral Director and Embalmer. Before that dream would come true, he would work multiple jobs. After graduating high school, Mr. Brown worked for the Sun Oil Refinery until a injury at work led to him furthering his education at the University of Toledo. Upon his graduation from mortuary school, Mr. Brown would serve his apprenticeship under the late Mr. Jack Dale at Dale Funeral Home. He would then go and work for T.A.R.T.A. as a Bus Driver to obtain health benefits for his family, while also working on opening his own funeral home. In 1980, the seeds he planted bloomed, and Mr. Brown and his dedicated and loving wife, Mary Ann Brown, opened The C. Brown Funeral Home, Inc. Mr. Brown would work together with his wife, son, grandsons, father, and brothers, truly establishing a family owned and generational business. With the help of family and friends, Mr. Brown and his funeral home served the black community with excellence for 44 years before retiring and closing in 2024.

Mr. Brown was a proud member of many organizations, including but not limited to, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Amazon Lodge #4, St. Matthew Consistory #24 of 33rd Degree, Who’s Who, Toledo Chapter of N.A.A.C.P., and more. He also served as President of the Funeral Directors Association of Northwestern Ohio in the late 1980’s.

Mr. Brown was preceded in death by parents, James R. and Evelyn Brown and brothers, Carl L. and Theryn W. Brown and Donell A. Franklin. He is survived by loving wife, Mary Ann Brown; son, Cleophus Brian (Lasonya Ann) Brown; grandsons, Cleophus Brian, II and Kendell Brison Brown; brothers, Alolson (Sherlon), Fred (Joyce), Marshall J., Calvin, and Alvin Brown; sister, Larshall K. (Curtis) Lee, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues.

A Visitation will be held 5:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, October 13, 2024, at the Jerusalem Baptist Church, 445 Dorr St., Toledo, OH 43604. Special Honors and Tributes begin at 6 pm. Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 14, 2024, at Jerusalem Baptist Church, preceded by a 10:00 a.m. Family Hour/Wake. Rev. Dr. James H. Willis, Sr., Officiant, and Rev. Dr. W. L. Perryman, Jr., Pastor and Eulogist. Interment Historic Woodlawn Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Dale-Riggs Funeral Home.