Mr. Henry Morgan Brown Jr.'s Obituary
Henry Morgan Brown, Jr., (“Henry”) was born on June 17, 1931, the son of Henry Morgan Brown, Sr. and Wessie Brown. He embodied the American Dream. He was born into a family of Georgia sharecroppers—the ones that did the work of former slaves, and he became successful business owner, changing the trajectory of his family.
As soon as Henry was old enough to work, around age 12, his family took him out of school to work the fields, picking cotton and tobacco. The Brown and Saxon Families worked together for years. Henry grew up with Syble Saxon, teasing her at every opportunity. On November 15, 1952, when Henry was 21 years old, he married Syble. Henry was drafted into the Army and sent away to the Korean War right after his wedding. While he was away at war his first son, Jimmy Morgan Brown, was born in Metter, Georgia.
When Henry returned to Georgia after the war, with a few dollars, faith, and determination, he moved Syble and toddler Jimmy to Houston, in search for a better life. He worked for his brother J.W. “Jim” Brown, and then bought a Phillips 66 service station on Telephone Road. On October 24, 1959, Henry and Syble welcomed a second son, Donnie R. Brown.
The first years were hard, Syble worked as a secretary and supported the family, while Henry worked day and night trying to build a business.
And did he ever build a business. Brown's 66 became the legacy of the Brown Family. It was the source of fun, lavish Christmas parties, and abundance for the family. With hard work, belief, and determination, Henry created exactly what he set out to create in Houston. He provided for his two sons, who then provided for their kids. Christmas Eve was the cherished holiday of Henry. He did his own Christmas shopping and reveled in giving Syble gifts, usually jewelry, that made her cry happy tears. His hard work wasn’t only reserved for the shop. His Wingtail Way yard was the most immaculately manicured in West Lea, and his over-the-top display of Christmas lights in the 80’s brought spectators from all across Houston.
Henry was known for his toughness, his fierce tongue, and witty humor (usually off-color). Yet all of that was just a small part of his core—a huge loving heart. He was the patriarch of the Brown Family, and will be missed by all that knew him.
Henry is preceded in death by his parents Henry and Wessie Brown. Henry is the last living sibling, preceded in death by Charlie Floyd Brown, Thelma Fordham Brown, Genice Fordham Hooks, J.W. Fordham, Francis Brown Faircloth, Helen Brown Wilson, Ruby Lee Brown Faircloth, and Samuel “Sam” Edward Brown. Henry is also preceded in death by his wife Syble Saxon Brown who passed on November 27, 2011, his daughter-in-law Mary Elizabeth (“Betsy”) Butler Brown who passed on December 18, 2011, and his son Donnie R. Brown who passed on May 22, 2016.
Along with his hard work, Henry was lucky. In his heyday, you could find him on the craps table in Las Vegas, and later in life he and Syble loved to go to Mississippi; he talked to slot machines until they paid him off.
Henry is survived by his son Jimmy Brown, and grandchildren Jessica Brown Wilson, Jimmy Brown Jr. and wife Tanya Wallace Brown, Mary Syble Brown Atkinson and husband Dustin Atkinson, Doralou Brown Draper and husband David Draper, and Donnie Brown, Jr. and wife Rachael Malutich Brown, and great-grandchildren Clayton, Dylan, and Johnathan Atkinson, Gisele and Sage Wilson, and Garrett and Luke Brown.
What’s your fondest memory of Henry?
What’s a lesson you learned from Henry?
Share a story where Henry's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Henry you’ll never forget.
How did Henry make you smile?
