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TRIBUTE TO MR. THEODORE BROWN CELEBRATING HIS 95TH BIRTHDAY
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HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Friday, July 30, 2021
Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a veteran and patriarch of a large, extended family who has been blessed with a long life and a deep faith. Theodore Roosevelt Brown, Sr. turns 95 on August 12, 2021, and I join with his family and friends in celebrating this significant milestone.
Theodore Brown was born in Noel, Virginia, to the late Floyd and Nannie Brown. His mother was known for her famous rolls and his father dedicated much of his life to working at DuPont and as a minister. His sister Mary was born on his second birthday and the two grew up as close as twins.
Early on, Theodore learned the value of hard work and education. As a child, he walked more than a mile to attend Hanover Public School. One of his proudest moments was earning second-place in the county's spelling bee. While still in school, Theodore's family moved to Richmond, where he attended Armstrong High School and participated in the R.O.T.C. and the school band.
In his senior year, Theodore enlisted in the U.S. Army as the country was embroiled in World War II. He received his basic training at Fort Lee, Virginia and technical training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He would later be deployed to Oakland Army Base in California and assigned to the U.S. Army Signal Corp. During his deployments, he installed telephone cables in the South Pacific, traveling across the world to Leyte, Guam, Manila, and Spain, before returning to the United States and receiving an honorable discharge on December 22, 1946. Theodore spent another three years in the Army Reserves.
Like so many in his generation, Theodore faced discrimination when he returned home. He applied for work at Virginia Power Electric Company but was rejected due to his race. Subsequently, he took a seasonal job with Phillip Morris Inc. He then spent 20 years as a cabinet installer with the Custom Kitchen Company. Seeking better pay and benefits, Theodore switched careers and became a paint mechanic for Richmond Public Schools, from which he retired after twenty years of service. Soon after he retired, Theodore embarked on a new journey as an entrepreneur, opening a very successful janitorial and maintenance business that he ran for sixteen years.
Faith is a pillar of Theodore's long life. Since being baptized at ten years old, he has been active in the church. A talented singer, he sang with the Notes of Harmony Quartet Group for thirty years. During his time in Richmond, Virginia, Theodore was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, where he served as President of the United Methodist Men organization, the Chair of the Board of Trustees, and a Class Leader.
In 2016, he and his wife moved to South Carolina and joined St. John United Methodist Church, where he holds the distinction as father of the church. Not only does he sing in the church choir; he is also a member of the Florence District United Methodist Choir, which travels to many churches and nursing homes to perform.
Theodore is the father of nine, and the stepfather of four. He is happily married to his second wife, Albertine, and enjoys spending time with his extended family. In addition to singing, his hobbies include fishing, playing horseshoes, card games, reading, and traveling.
Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in celebrating the ninety-fifth birthday of Theodore Roosevelt Brown, Sr. Those who know him best describe him as a strong, honest, compassionate, and dependable man with a great sense of humor and an abundance of love for others. May he continue to be a blessing to all that are fortunate to know and love him.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 134
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