SERVICE TO GOD, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY HAILED AT THANKSGIVING
BROWN’S TOWN, St Ann; April 11, 2026
Well-known late educator and public figure in St Ann Rupert James Brown was laid to rest on Saturday, April 4, 2026, following a service of thanksgiving attended by hundreds of mourners at the Brown’s Town Tabernacle Church, Brown’s Town, St Ann.
Known to many as Jimmy or Uncle Jimmy, Mr Brown died in February after a brief illness. He was 83.
Mr Brown served in education for nearly three decades as a schoolteacher, principal and Board chairman. He also came to be known for his service to the electoral process and to the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) for close to four decades.
Director of Elections Glasspole Brown spoke glowingly of that service, including Rupert Brown’s work as Returning Officer for North East St Ann.
(A section of the congregation)
Mr Brown was known as a caring, no-nonsense man, always punctual and deeply committed to God, sentiments endorsed by Deaconess Angella Scott Brown in one of many tributes that highlighted his service to his church.
.
(Sisters Ena, Gerda and Sherron sharing the Remembrance)
Rupert Brown was hailed by his nieces, Antoinette and Althea Brown, in the eulogy, as “a man for all seasons” a farmer, teacher, father, friend and workaholic.
He is best known for the 20 years he spent as principal at Muirhouse All Age School. He also served as principal at St Ann’s Bay Primary. Acting Principal of Muirhouse, Rose Lynch, delivered a tribute, as did several past students, who recognised and praised his work. Three teachers from St Ann’s Bay Primary also delivered a tribute. Sections of the buildings at both schools will be named in his honour.
He served on the Board at Muirhouse and later at Brown’s Town High and also at Brown’s Town Tabernacle Prep. Students from the latter did a tribute in song.
(Teachers from St Ann’s Bay Primary sharing a tribute)
A graduate of Moneague Teachers College, Rupert Jimmy Brown was credited with overcoming the loss of his father at an early age and the brief migration of his mother, which interrupted his education, as he provided for his siblings. He overcame those setbacks and later studied at Moneague Teachers College before also returning there to teach. He pursued higher education at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Jamaica, in Australia and the United States.
(Members of the St Ann Seniors Club of which Mr Brown was a member, doing a tribute in song)
Several leaders in the education fraternity paid tributes.
These included former principal and colleague Johnallson Feraria, who said Mr Brown “believed deeply in the power of education to change lives…he was no ordinary man.”
Moneague College Principal Howard Isaacs, also representing the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, gave a glowing tribute.
Tribute too came from the Ministry of Education’s Region 3, covering St Ann and Trelawny, and was led by Regional Director Karlene Segre. “After more than three decades of service, Mr Brown left an indelible mark on Jamaica’s education system. To many, he was more than a teacher or principal; he was a mentor extraordinaire, a guide offering wise counsel, and a quiet architect of opportunity for generations of students and adults,” the tribute said in part.
(Students from the Brown’s Town Tabernacle Prep in song. Mr Brown was the Board chair here).
Mr Brown’s wife, Merita, predeceased him. He left to mourn four sons — Leighton Alwyn, Lancedale and Vivian, four sisters and two brothers.
In the remembrance, read by sisters Ena, Gerda and Sherron, Mr Brown was spoken of as having sons who loved him and would give him anything he wanted. One of his sons, Leighton Brown, gave the acknowledgement and thanked all who assisted in the service.
(Johnallson Feraria)
The sermon was preached by a dynamic Marvin A Fairweather, whose theme was God’s call to Ezekiel to “Set Your House In order.” The service lasted nearly five hours and was punctuated with several items of praise, including solos, choral singing and instrumental music, with foot-stomping praise and worship choruses. Also officiating were Rudolph McFarlane, Moderator and Leroy Henry, Administration chairman. Organists were Lydia Brown and Audel Elliston.
(The Brown’s Town Tabernacle Choir in praise)
Among those in attendance were Krystal Lee, MP for North West St Ann; Zavier Mayne, MP for South West St Ann, both State Ministers; Othneil Lawrence, former MP for North West St Ann; and Councillors Geneva Gordon Bailey and Dallas Dickenson.
Interment was in the church cemetery.
See a short video of the service of Thanksgiving on the Frankly Speaking Jamaica YouTube Channel by clicking this link
YOU CAN ALWAYS REACH THE NORTH COAST TIMES BY EMAIL AT [email protected]
