Rickey Gene Brown

A Rule for Success is exemplified by Rickey Gene Brown’s respectfulness, obedience, and manners. Rickey was born on March 5, 1962 to the late Mrs. Nattlean Marshall Grice and the late Mr. James Brown.

He departed this life on Sunday, January 17, 2021, in the comfort of his home in Columbus, Mississippi.

Rickey accepted Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Nebo CME Church in Baldwyn, MS where he remained a faithful member. He attended Baldwyn Public Schools. While in high school, Rickey pursued musical interests by serving as drum major for the Baldwyn High School Band.

After graduating from high school, he furthered his musical abilities in music education by attending Northeast Mississippi Junior College in Booneville, MS, where he was a member of the Tiger Marching Band and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Ricky Bishop, NEMJCC head band director.

His curiosity in the field of music education led him to pursue his musical endeavors further by attending Mississippi State University as a tuba player for the Famous Maroon Band. He served as a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity. During his time at Mississippi State University, he earned both his Bachelor of Arts Degree and his Master's Degree in the field of Music Education.

His gift as he discovered was to make people happy through the gift of music. He shared his gifts and sentiments with ALL who were willing with a teachable spirit and a willingness to learn. From Raymond High School, Amory Schools, Coahoma Junior College, Clarksdale Schools, Shannon Schools, and West Point Schools, Rickey Brown etched a name for himself that would rival any other in his profession.

His devotion to community service became evident when he became a fraternal brother of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, beginning in the Spring of 1997…."Culture for Service & Service for Humanity". He was initiated through the Eta Lambda Sigma Chapter in Oxford, MS. Rickey then chartered the Pi Tau Sigma and served as Chapter President and remained to be a Life Member. He also served as Sigma Beta Club Advisor for over 20 years.

He was preceded in death by his mother Nattlean Grice, father James Brown, sister Barbara Raye Grice, and godfather Mr. C. D. Shelton.

He leaves to cherish his memories first cousins: Jasper Marshall and Florestine Howell (Willie Frank) of Baldwyn, MS, special sisters: Shelia Grove and Jennifer Howell of Tupelo, MS; godchildren: Charlsy Agnew, Demaja and J'Correy McKinney, all of Tupelo, MS, special cousin Rico Gray; his adopted family: Mrs. Virgie Lee Bennett Shelton (mother), and his god-brothers: Charles Denair and Orson Roderic Shelton of West Point, MS. He also leaves a host of friends, relatives, colleagues, and acquaintances. Rickey's heart was his babies in the West Point Band program.

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