Pastor ML Brown, age 87, of Roland, Oklahoma, entered his heavenly home on May 3, 2026. He was born on May 7, 1938, in Madera, California, to Schafer Brown Sr. and Maola Crump Brown. 

On September 11, 1993, he married Josephine Wallace Beachem, in Roland, Oklahoma. They shared 32 years together and built a life centered on love, faith, and family.

ML retired after 22 years of service to the United States Army and proudly served his country from December 6, 1960, until February 28, 1978. In the army, he earned multiple medals and badges, including Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Vietnam Service Medal with 6 Bronze service stars, Good Conduct Medal 1st through 4th Awards, National Defense Service Medal, four overseas bars, bronze star medal with V Device, Purple Heart, Air Medal with one Oak Leaf cluster, bronze star medal with three oak leaf clusters; and a sharpshooter badge with M16 Rifle.. Following his military career, he remained active in his community as a member of the VFW, the DAV, and the American Legion, and he served as a moderator for the Antioch Consolidated District. He pastored for about 30 years at New Morning Star Baptist Church and Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He was a man of deep faith who found great joy in sharing the Word of God, as well as spending time with his family and friends. ML will be remembered as a humble servant of the Lord, a devoted husband, a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a true friend to many.

He is survived by his wife, Josephine Brown; his three stepchildren: Rolanda Felice Beachem, Shannon Raquel Ford, and Pamela Williams; his two grandchildren, Steve Brown and Sara Brown; and his step-grandchildren, Jessica Williams, Courtney Brown, Aja Keon Ford, and Jalyn Alexis Ford. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, as well as his siblings, Sarah Harrell, Matt Brown, and Mattie Brown, along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Schafer Brown Sr. and Maola Crump Brown; his son, Scotty Brown; his stepson, Bruce Ware; his siblings, Theola Brown, Opal Clark, Erma Williams, Ollie Robinson, Barbara Manrriquez, Evelyn Gibson, Pearl Brown, Schafer Jr., and Joseph Brown; and a host of beloved extended family members.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Lewis Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Methodist Church in Muldrow, Oklahoma, with Pastor Wesley Hooks officiating. The committal service will take place at Fort Smith National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. following the service. A reception will follow at Shady Grove Baptist Activity Center. Services are entrusted to Lewis Funeral Chapel.

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