Mr. James "Tender" Brown, Sr.

UTICA- Mr. James “Tender” Brown, Sr. went home to the Lord on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at the age of 96. At the time of his passing he was in the hearts of those he cherished the most, and surrounded by his family. James was born on June 27, 1926, in Dooling, GA to the late Will and Annie Bell (Thomas) Brown. As a young man, he came to Utica and made it his home. His life was shared for a long time with Doretha Woods. They were a united front in both their work life and their home life. They formed a blended family and were wonderful parents to their shared 8 children. Doretha passed away on January 15, 1988. At one time he also loved Auginette “Ann” Finch-Brown, a marriage from which came their son, James Brown, Jr. James came to Utica to find more employment opportunities, and a majority of his working years were spent working railroads. He was one of many who paved the way by laying steel tracks, which was very hard work with very long days. James went on to become an entrepreneur as the owner of JB Pool Hall on Washington Street. He concurrently owned and operated a Soul Food restaurant, assisted by Doretha and their girls. He was a hard worker and a go-getter, and with the profits from his businesses he was able to purchase multiple properties, which made a better life for his family. He always remembered to support his community along the way as well. A favorite hobby of James’ was gambling. Most of the time he was a lucky man as he placed his bets, and he never put his love of gambling before his family’s needs and welfare. He was a well-loved man, and his witty ways kept everyone around him laughing. He was “street smart” for his time, and his knowledge was the basis for some great stories that the next generations of his family loved to hear. One of his great-granddaughters, Alaysa, interviewed James for a college essay. One of the questions she asked was “what did you want to be when you grew up?” to which he answered “rippin’ and runnin’!”—and he sure succeeded at that! He was proud to be a black man who lived a long, unscathed life, for which he was grateful to the Lord. James had a multitude of close friends from the old neighborhood. He remembered those who went before him, but felt blessed to still be among his family. Family members were always spending time together at his business ventures, and they enjoyed many family outings on the back road by the tracks together. James had a personal relationship with his Lord Jesus, and appreciated and embraced the gift of life. James is survived by children, Connie Boddie (and the late Milton Boddie, Sr., who passed on January 8, 2023), Velma Woods, Dale Hunt, and James Brown, Jr. He always held close to his heart the memory of the children who went home to the Lord before him, Nova Lee Woods, Mary Smith, Robert “Link” Smith, Ronnie Woods, and Larry Woods. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Shannon Boddie, Brian Boddie, Milton Boddie, Jr., Marcus (Nydiyra) Boddie; Ernest (Maria) Jones, Kimberly Jones; Carl Davan “Duka” Stanley, Dale “Mikey” (Alyssa) Stanley, Paul (Sarah) Stanley, Isaiah (Ashley) Stanley; Devin Jemal Brown; Lisa Woods, Nikki Woods, Anthony Woods, Travis, and Tirus Freeman, and Donald Freeman; Frachon (Todd) Johnson, Simone (Robert) Bouck; Mary Smith, and Greg Smith, Sharonda Woods, and Sherry Woods; Noel Woods, and Kimneisha Brown. He is also survived by a host of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and his brother, Jim Brown. He was predeceased by his siblings, O.C., B.W., Edward, Fill, and Syl. His grandchildren, Ronald Freeman, Nova Lee Jr, & Iris Woods, Nolan Woods; Ronnie Woods Jr. Reggie Woods & Dorothy Woods. He will be remembered by his nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins; his sister-in-law; Lilly Mae Jones; and his longtime buddy, Joe Allen. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. His Home Going Service and Celebration of Life will follow on Friday at 12:30. Those unable to attend may be present virtually at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89670476485. Interment will take place in Forest Hill Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Mr. James "Tender" Brown, Sr.

June 27, 1926 - January 19, 2023