It is with regret we announce the passing of Jimmy Van Brown Sr., age 88, of Fayetteville, TN. Jim was born November 25, 1936, in Lincoln County to the late Fred and Evelyn (Haney) Brown. He passed away March 6, 2025, at Huntsville Hospital.
MSGT Brown served 23 years in the United States Air Force and 10 years in the United States Army as a CW3. He was the first male RN to graduate from Columbia State and went on to receive his Physician’s Assistant degree from Grand Forks AFB in North Dakota. After retirement, he spent one year working for Indian Health Services in the Grand Canyon. He then worked Civil Service at US Army MEDDAC Fox Army Hospital on Redstone Arsenal for 10 years. During his years of service, he received numerous medals, badges, and citations including the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Vietnam Service Medal, and Presidential Unit Citation.
He served as the former Commander of the American Legion Post 42 and VFW Post 2167 in Fayetteville, TN. At the time of his death, he was a member of the American Legion Post 237 in Huntsville, AL and VFW Post 4188 in Tullahoma, TN.
Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Betty Caldwell Brown; stepdaughter Stacy (Michael) Ellis, grandchildren Aaron Cushman, Ryan Prewitt, and William Ellis; sister Fonda (John) George. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Jimmy Van Brown Jr., daughters Kay Cushman-Prewitt and Carmen Brown, and brothers Phillip Ray Brown and William Collins Brown.
A funeral service will be held at 2pm on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Bobby Bates officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hills Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be from 12pm until 2pm on Sunday at Higgins.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Jimmy Van Brown, Sr.
We had some great visits when Betty and Jim would stop by and visit me at my store “Carousel Horse Antiques”. My heart goes out to Betty and family. Will always remember the good times.
Betty, sorry for your loss.
You in my thoughts and prayers.
May God give you peace and comfort.
Betty. So very sorry for your loss.
Remember him since child hood.
May God give you comfort and peace .
Sorry to hear of this loss. We will have Betty and family in our thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing. We go way back to being Sunday School friends in the little Mill church. He, Ray, Fonda and their parents were very special friends. (This was before William was born. I didn’t know him.) They were a much loved family there in the village! Know Jimmy will be missed by all who loved him. So proud of his military service! RIP, Jimmy, and God speed!!