Oakley Brown, Jr.

Oakley Brown Jr. was born on December 18, 1948, to Oakley Brown Sr. and Sally Mae Simmons-Brown in Clayton Delaware. Oakley departed his life on August 25, 2023, peacefully at home. Oakley was affectionately named “Buggy” by his family. He received his early education at Clayton/Smyrna School District and graduated from William Henry High School, Dover, DE in 1966. He was an avid baseball player and played the positions of right and center field.

After graduation he landed his first job at Leeds Travel Sewing Factory in Clayton, DE. It was there where he met Betty Joann Hinson. On January 21, 1968, they married and were blessed with two children, Andre and Oakley III. Later in 1968, he joined the workforce at Daimler Chrysler in Newark, DE, where his buddies nicknamed him “Monk”.

In 2005, Oakley retired early due to illness, dialysis became a part of his weekly routine.  He did all he could to make the best of his situation and developed many friends during his 19 years at FMC Dialysis Services.

During his leisure time he loved colleting old antique cars and he was well known for his sporty cars and his Budweiser beer.

Oakley was preceded in death by his parents, Oakley and Sally Brown; Brothers, Reginald Brown and  Leon Robinson; sisters, Rev. Bermuda Ward, Beulah Lloyd, and Ada Fletchery; brother in- law William Ward Sr., sister in-law Barbara Ann Hinson-Hawkins, aunt; Pauline Wisher and uncle; Rev. Samuel Simmons.

Oakley leaves to honor his memory Joann; his sons, Andre Brown, Oakley Brown III; grandchildren, Michel’le Brown, Cierra Brown, Khayri Brown, Fabrea McCray, Pashence Harris, Logan Strickland and Miranda Strickland; Great Grandchildren, Aston, Alia and Preston Smith; sisters in law, Margaret “Betty” Anderson, Andrea Hinson, Rev. Kimberly Hinson-Henry; 3 brothers in law, William Andrew Hinson Jr., Daniel Henry Sr., and Bilal Hawkins; nieces, Greta Fountain, Jeralin Rochester, Barbara Hines, Karen Lewis, Lisa Ward-Powell and Maria McClure; special nephews; Brett, DeShawn, Rev. William Ward Jr., Rev. Daniel Ward and Rev. Justin Powell; a very devoted cousin/sister Shirley McCollister; special cousins, Nate Murray and Arnold Murray; a bonus son, Kevin Gainer; a devoted friend and caregiver, Shirlyn Lowman; his Chrysler buddies, Bobby Collins, Tony Hall and Edward Simms Sr.; his dog and buddy “Chicko” and a host of nieces, nephews cousins and friends.

Services for Oakley will consist of a funeral at 11 am on Wednesday, September 6th in the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave, Wyoming, DE where friends and family may gather for a viewing two hours prior.  Burial will follow in Mt. Friendship AME Church Cemetery, Clayton, DE

Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.pippinfuneralhome.com.

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