James Ernest Brown

James Ernest Brown was born on November 12, 1939, to the late Samuel and Jugertha Brown, in Columbus, Ohio. On November 30, 2022, he was called home to be with the Lord due to a rare blood cancer. James graduated from East High School where he met his forever love, Wanda M. Brown. Also, he discovered his second love during this time, which was “Music,” inspiring him to start his doo wop group known as “The Four Mints.”

After high school, James and Wanda were married and to this union three children were born. James was a great provider working many jobs over the years. He was one of the first African Americans to work for the Tip Top Bread Company. He worked as a tech for the Ohio State University Hospital, and eventually secured a position with General Motors/Delphi where he retired in (2006).

James loved spending time with his family from regular Sunday dinners to vacations, and the annual family, “Camper Lamper” trip to Virginia. He was always available to see the grandkid’s sporting events, recitals, and graduations including singing at his granddaughter’s wedding this year. He always had Kit Kat’s on hand and ran an unofficial driving school at Jam-N Jefferson Park festival, where his grandkids and others got “on the road” driving experience utilizing golf carts. On Wednesdays he enjoyed going with his brother to Scioto Downs or the Casino and was always lucky when it came to his scratch offs.

James never stopped loving music and it was his dream to perform to a packed house as one of the founding members of the group “The Four Mints.” They traveled all over the US, opening for some of the greats like One Way, O’Jays, Ray Charles, Stylistics, Delfonics, Chi-Lights, and the Intruders. They even continued to tour with Bobby Hendricks from the Drifters up until 2019 while performing at local festivals such as Jam-N Jefferson Park, Jazz N Rib Fest, Southfield Reunion, Hot Times Festival, and Buckeye Lake.

He talked about how they earned the respect of the big artists and met many interesting people from the very, very rich to the poor.

James was a member of St. Paul A.M.E Church serving on the Trustee Board, the St. Paul Players, Miracle on Long Street, singing in the Male Chorus, heading up the Jam-N Jefferson Park Annual Church festival committee, and serving as a church bus driver when needed. He loved his church and continued to be involved up until his passing.

James was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Jamie Liggins. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Wanda M. Brown, children Jeffrey Brown (Tracey Jones) and Jerald (Satina) Brown, siblings, Joyce Jones, Charles (Marcia) Brown, and Eleanor Brown; sisters-in-law Diane Bell, Doris Brown; grandchildren, Brittany Price, Larry Dixon (Jr), Janae Brown, Taylor (Christopher) Dalton, Jerald Brown II, Terrance Liggins, Kristian Brown, Joselyn Brown, and Joi Brown. Great grandchildren, Kennedy Dixon, Ayden Davis, and Willow Brown, special children and grandchildren, Jerome Ferguson, Kevin Holland, Kelly Dillard, Marchia Jones, and Tawna Bonner; special friends Ron Ransom, Howard Tidwell, Les Brown, Earl Marshall, Ron Henderson, Wayne Williams, Jimmy Redford, Rema McCarroll, Rueben Washington, and Tony Cooper with a host of nieces, nephews, God children and friends. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.