George A. Brown, Jr.

George Augustine Brown, Jr. was born the fourth of ten children to George A. Brown, Sr. and the late Sarah Smith Brown on January 3, 1923.

He attended parochial and public schools in Baltimore, graduating from Frederick Douglass High School in 1941. He later attended the Johns Hopkins University and Catonsville Community College.

After high school, George joined the Army Airfare and was assigned to pilot training at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, thus becoming one of the renowned "Tuskegee Airmen." Graduating first in his class, he received his wings and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. He was then assigned to the B-25 Bomber Group and subsequently remained with this group as an instructor for new pilots.

For George , his military career was one of the crowning achievements of his life. He frequently shared with school children his experiences as a member of an elite corps of Black airmen in a segregated military.

He married Catherine E. Tolliveor n July 4, 1946. Three children were born of this marriage.

Professionally, George embarked on a business career that spanned almost fifty years and included many successful enterprises. With a fellow former cadet, he opened Varsity Press, the first Black-owned automated printing business in Baltimore. He later owned and operated a furniture business, a service station, and package goods store. For a number of years he was manager of the Casino, a popular Baltimore nightclub. Thereafter, he developed a real estate business and served as associate broker with Adams Realty.

George left to cherish his memory his father, George A. Brown, Sr.; four children, George A. Brown, III, Clarice E. Thompson, SariSimmons and Steven R. Brown, Sr.; nine sisters and brothers, Clarice Richardson, Dorothy Press, Juliette Carpenter, Harold Brown, Hilah Glaze, Augustine Gloster, Thomas E. Brown, Earl Brown, and Bette Roche; two daughters-in-law; one son-in-law; nine grandchildren, one great grandchild, and a host of nieces, nephews and other family members.

George spent many memorable moments with his friends and business associates, including his life-long friend William Adams, all of whom will remember him for his loyalty, integrity and numerous acts of kindness.

Pallbearers were Golden Roche, Mark Glaze, Martin Glaze, Anthony Carpenter, Michael Myers and Gary Jackson. Honorary Pallbearers were William Adams, Judge Robert Watts, Charles Richardson, Jr. and Frank Daniels.

Funeral Services were held  on Saturday, May 7, 1994 at Saint Edwards Catholic Church, with Father Maurice Blackwell (St. Edwards) and Reverend Leander Brown (New Camel Star) presiding.

On January 3, 1923, George Augustine and Sarah Brown welcomed their fourth child, a baby boy into the world. they named him George Augustine Jr. George; our Dad and Granddad, affectionately known as "Daddy-Daddy" to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, grew up in Baltimore City at 1317 Myrtle Avenue. He attended Baltimore City Parochial and Public Schools, and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1940.

Upon graduation he was employed by the Western Maryland Dairy according to his brother-in-law, Golden "Sputs" Roche, and later joined the Army Air Corp. He was sent to pilot training at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, and became one of the renowned Tuskegee Airmen under Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. (class of 1945). George believed that no matter what you wanted to be in life, you should strive to be the best. In keeping with this philosophy, he graduated at the head of his Airmen's Class. The reward for this fete was a little different. Instead of a trophy or medal, the airmen that graduated at the head of the class was chosen to be the escort for the beautiful actress and singer , Ms. Lena Horne during her visit to the airbase that year. That would be be table conversation for many decades  in this family, and Lena Horne's music would always be among the songs wafting across his house. George never had to fly his plane in battle, but remained an instructor for new pilots throughout his tour during World War II. He was proud to have been a Tuskegee Airman and a pilot, so he maintained his pilot license throughout the remainder of his life.

The majority of his adult life George was an entrepreneur, creating and operating different types of businesses. the first black-owned printing company in Baltimore City , Varsity Press, was started by George and a former fellow cadet. For many years he owned Brown's Liquor Store, located on the corner of Edmondson Avenue and Bentalou Street. The sign bearing his name can still be seen hanging outside of that locatiotn day. In addition, George owned a couple of gasoline stations, spent time selling clothes and sundry items, and owned multiple pieces of residential real estate in Baltimore. when nightlife for Blacks was at its peak in Baltimore, he managed Club Casino, located on Baltimore's famous Pennsylvania Avenue. Later he managed Carr's and Sparrows Beach on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

On July 4, 1946 George married Catherine E. Tolliver. During that relationship three children were born; George Augustine III, Clarice Elizabeth, and Steven Raymond. During a separate relationship with Isabel Clarissa Evlyn another daughter, Sari Yvonne Simmons was born.

During the later years of George's adult life he married and divorced Joan, Lillian, and the former Sylvia Brooks. Rumor has it George and Sylvia were planning to re-marry before his untimely departure.

Catherine Elvira(Tolliver) Brown was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania on April 6, 1925 to Lillian  and David Tolliver. She peacefully departed from this life on March 21, 2015, at home in Baltimore, Maryland.

Catherine grew-up in a closely-knit household with her five sisters: Bessie, Alice, Helen, Virginia, Phyllis, and one brother adopted in love, Bilie. She was extremely close with her Uncle Ray who helped to raise her and for whom she later named her second son. During her childhood, the Tolliver family relocated to Baltimore from Altoona. In 1943, she graduated from Frederick Douglass High School, then went on to pursue a Bachelor of Arts at Morgan State College. Catherine married George A. Brown, Jr. in 1946 and the couple was thereafter blessed with three children.

Professionally, Catherine severed the Social Security Administration for 35 years as a statistician. She was a devoted Christian, an avid cruciverbalist, a big fan of TV murder mysteries and a great lover of family get-togethers. She adored playing Pinochle with her sisters. Known to her grandchildren and great grandchildren as "Mom-Mom", she drew no small amount of joy from doting on the younger members of her family. Among her life's achievements , Catherine volunteered her time for many years as Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees at New Carmel Star Baptist Church (1976 - 1998). She became a member of New Carmel Star in 1976. There she served under Rev. Leander G. Brown, Sr. and his incumbent, Rev. Everett Givens (beginning 2003) who was like a son to her. Throughout her membership, she was a member of the Golden Girls, the Fuel Club, the Flower Circle, and the First lady's Support Team. She loved to see her grandchildren in church and kept them involved as Sunday School attendees, ushers and youth choir members. She herself was an avid Sunday School attendee. Sunday School at New Carmel Star was a labor of love for her. Her fellow church members and the children of the church were very special to her, and she was affectionately known as "Mother Brown". She was beloved by all who knew her for her warm heart and eagerness to laugh.

Catherine was proceeded in death by her siblings, Helen, Virginia, Bessie, Alyee, and Billie; brothers-in-law, Rev. Leander G. Brown, Sr. and Henderson Dunn. She left to cherish her memory her loving sister, Phyllis "Bunny" Brown; her devoted children, Malik A. Bey, Clarice E. Brown, and Steven R. Brown, Sr.; her adoring daughters-in-law, Lynn Bey, Cecelia Brown and Sharman Brown; her hearts a.k.a. her grandchildren, Tracey Drummond and James Collins (Maria), Ayo Pearson (Nicole's), Malika Brown, Noni Brown, Zimbabwe Sutton (James), Lumumba Brown (Julia), Rachael Cullen (Mark), Raymond Brown; her beloved great grandchildren, Courtney, Brittany, Ciara, Jasmine, Nailah, Gary, Aminah, Malik, Andre, Jahsol, Glenn, Cameron, Eric, Jahnae, Joshua, Keith, Louis, Jada,Nayo, Matthew, Ligaya, Leilani, Indira, and Little James; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services were held on Thursday, March 26, 2015 at New Carmel Star Baptist Church with Reverend Everett Givens officiating. Pallbearers were Lumumba Brown, James H. Collins, Jr., Raymond Brown, Anthony Myers, Nicole's Pearson, and Kevin Miller. Honorary Pallbearers were Gary Story, Jahsol Drummond, and Quinton Ford.