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A viewing and tribute service will be held Friday for Pastor Porter S. Brown of Faith Baptist Tabernacle in Asbury Park who died unexpectedly last week.

Located at 1209 Bangs Avenue, friends and family will receive condolences from 7 to 9 p.m. An additional visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, at Living Word Christian Fellowship, located at 81 Highway 35 in Neptune, NJ, immediately followed by the 10 a.m. funeral service.

Brown, 69, of Neptune, was an Atlantic City native who came to the area following following graduation from Lincoln University, where he received a Bachelors of Art degree. Brown taught in the  the public school systems of Red Bank, Neptune and Asbury Park for 29 years until his retirement in 2000. 

“My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends,” Mayor John Moor said. “I new [Brown] as an educator for the school system during my time on the Board of Education. He was an excellent teacher who never complained. He did his job well.”

On October 11, 2001, Brown received a Congressional tribute, given by U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr [D- 6th District] for his “loyalty to his church, community, the educational system, and family.”

Brown’s tenure at the Bangs Avenue parish began in 1973 under the guidance of the late Rev. Wilmore A. Carter. Brown served and led a variety of ministries and became an assistant pastor in January 1980 and pastor one year later.

“He will be sorely missed,” Second Baptist Church Deacon Daniel Harris said. “He was a very close friend to our family. He buried my mother in law, father in law and sister in law, and christened my daughter. He was a spiritual guide who never refused us when we called.”

During his 35 year-long tenure as Faith Baptist Tabernacle’s pastor, Brown served as District Overseer of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship for the State of New Jersey, as well as assistant to the State Bishop. His ministry led him to Africa where he aided in the process of developing more churches.

“There is not another like him,” Harris said. “His input was of a great magnitude and he did a lot to help the community.”

Brown, married his childhood sweetheart Sheila A. Brown on March 23, 1968. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Flora Brown; a brother, Massie Brown; and a sister, Susie Maisonave. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sheila; their four children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

To share condolences with the family, click here.

[Feature photo courtesy of Nicolle Harris]

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