John Louis Brown, Jr (Johnny), 66, of Madison MS passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at his home surrounded by family. He was born on July 1, 1956, to Johnny and Sue Alderson Brown at Fort Dix, New Jersey, the first of six children. At a young age he came to know the Lord at Anchor Baptist Church. He grew up in the Anchor community, often found at Buck Brown and Son’s Grocery, his father and grandparents’ store on Highway 7. It was there he developed his easy-going manner and friendly personality. He never met a stranger. Johnny and Phyllis moved to Madison in 1998. He developed close friendships with many of his neighbors. Several have stated recently that Johnny was the “heart of the neighborhood.” He worked in the real estate industry since 1998. In 2006 at ERA Real Estate Professionals of Ridgeland he was selected Realtor of the Year. Plus, he served on the board of directors and as an officer of the local chapter of the Mississippi Assocation of Realtors. He retired from Central Mississippi Realtors. Johnny was a 1974 graduate of Lafayette High School where he excelled in football and academics. His senior year he was named Mr. LHS. He continued his education at the University of Mississippi graduating in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. In college he was very active in the BSU ministry, and Johnny was well-known for his love and passion for Ole Miss sports. Johnny was a member of Gideons International and served as a deacon at various churches. He loved the Lord and his family more than anything in this world. Johnny is survived by his wife of 43 years Phyllis Saul Brown of Madison, MS and son Will Brown (Erika) of New Orleans, LA; his mother Sue Brown of Oxford, MS. In addition, he is survived by his brothers Keith (Becky) Brown of Oxford and Mark (Gwenda) Brown of Oxford, along with his sisters, Sherry (Jeff) Nelson of Oxford, Cynthia (Dan) Briscoe of Oxford and Candy (Rick) Mize of Oxford. He was preceded in death by his father John Louis Brown, Sr., and grandparents Vettra and Louise Alderson; Buck and Corrine Brown. An evening visitation will be at Natchez Trace Funeral Home in Madison, MS on Thursday, June 22, 2023, from 5pm - 7pm. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be at Anchor Baptist Church in Water Valley, MS on Friday, June 23, 2023, at 11am with a visitation one hour prior. Interment to follow at the Anchor Cemetery. Reverend Gerald Shook will officiate. A memorial gift may be made to the Kayla Sue Mize (KSM) Endowment through CREATE Foundation, createfoundation.com <http://createfoundation.com> or the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency (MORA), 4400 Lakeland Dr., Flowood MS 39232.