Rev. Billy Gene Brown (1931-2008)

I am very sorry to report the death of my great-uncle Billy Gene "BG" Brown.

He ended a 6-year battle with Parkinson's Disease at 4:15 yesterday morning, requesting his body be donated to medical research to help find a cure for this terrible illness.

BG celebrated his 76th birthday this past December 7th. Though born in Miami, he spent his formative years in Plymouth and attended Apopka High School.

After serving with the US Navy (and riding out a terrific hurricane in Charleston Harbor!) he returned to this little corner of heaven to marry my great-aunt Diane Morgan on August 28, 1953--almost 55 years ago. Together they operated His Way Ministries for many years. They have three children (David, Debbie, and Danny) as well as several grandchildren and great-granchildren.

Memorial services are scheduled at two of the churches BG served as pastor:

* 7/6/08 (Sunday) - 1pm - Corinth Baptist Church, Clinton, Missouri.

* 7/19/08 (Saturday) - 2pm - Rosemont Baptist Church, Orlando, Florida.

Some sad news out of Missouri

I received a distressing email from my Aunt Diane this evening.

Her son Danny woke up this morning to discover his wife Norma had passed away in her sleep.

Some of ye socks may recall that Danny and Norma had moved out to Missouri recently to be near Aunt Diane, and help her take care of Uncle BG (who is suffering from Parkinson's Disease).

Well, on top of the shock of Norma's death, I now learn that BG has been confined to his bed for the last few days and is basically unresponsive.

They have a lot on their plates out there in western Missouri. So, if you're the praying kind, I'm sure Aunt Diane, Danny, and the rest of the Browns would greatly appreciate it now more than ever.

His Way Teaching Ministries

I received my monthly newsletter from Uncle BG and Aunt Diane in the "snail mail"yesterday, and was disappointed to read that they will be discontinuing it after this issue.

Evidently, BG's Parkinson's Disease has progressed to the point that publication of the newsletter is just too much of a strain, and that's undertstandable.

But, fear not, ye socks! He and Diane have gone digital, and are in the process of posting some of the Bible lessons dating back to the newsletter's inception in 1978 on a new web site:

http://www.hiswayteachingministry.com/

Check it out!

Prayer request for Uncle BG

I heard from my Aunt Diane this morning that Uncle BG is not doing very well lately.

He had to be rushed to the hospital by ambulance last week after developing some unexplainable rectal bleeding.

After 6 units of blood transfusion, a colonoscopy, and a variety of esophagus, stomach, and other tests, the doctors are still unsure where all the blood was coming from.

Fortunately, the bleeding HAS stopped, and he is now being moved to a rehab floor where the hope is he will be able to improve enough to go home in a few days.

Anyway, Aunt Diane would like all of you in the blogosphere who believe in the power of prayer to join in the recovery efforts.

Aunt Diane & Uncle BG

I received bad news last night that Aunt Diane will not be able to participate in Dad's services later this month as she had planned.

She was supposed to have accompanied Aunt Dot and Uncle Richard with her keyboard talents as they sang in the chapel, and had even made arrangements to fly down here from Missouri.

Unfortunately, Uncle BG's health has declined to the point that she felt necessary to cancel.

We will really miss her presence and beautiful singing voice on the 31st, but can totally understand the need to be with a loved one in need. We were in her shoes just a few weeks ago.