Larry Darnell Brown

Larry Darnell Brown was born on July 7,1951 in Lynch, Kentucky. He was the thirteenth child of a total of fourteen children born to Major and Leona Myrick Brown. Larry accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior early on and was baptized at fourteen years old at Greater Mt. Sinai Baptist Church. Larry, affectionately known as Manchie, attained his high diploma from Lynch East Main High School in 1971.

During Manchie’s teenage years, he met the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Patricia Ann Taylor (Pat). They courted and ultimately wed in holy matrimony on June 8, 1974. The couple enjoyed 48 loving years in matrimony. Larry and Pat brought forth two children under that union, Niesha Dontrel and Larry Darnell Jr. They later adopted two additional children, Khiry and Joshua (O.J.) and fostered over 25 children over the last 30 years. As a young man, Larry decided to move from his hometown of Lynch, KY to Long Island, New York to start a new life for his family. Larry worked as an Administrator at A. Holly Patterson Nursing Home and campus security personnel at Hofstra University. After retirement, Larry’s ambition led him to start his own business, Major Cleaning, LLC.

Larry loved to laugh and was known as the “Life of the Party”. He hosted many get togethers and social functions with family and friends. He was an avid music lover and enjoyed sitting back and listening to the melodies of his favorite R&B jams. He was known to occasionally belt out the best parts of a slow jam or get up and perform a short, choreographed dance routine while the music played. He loved to dance. Larry was also quite an athlete during his younger years. He excelled at many sports, especially basketball. He once scored 55 points at a high school basketball game vs Cumberland H.S., at the time certifying him the best player to come out of Lynch (although that’s up for debate by his brother Richard). Larry’s hobbies as an adult included both fishing, golfing, and watching sports. He loved the NY Yankees, NY Giants, and the 90s Chicago Bulls. On the weekends, he would go fishing on the Eastern Shores of Long Island with close friends and bring home a cooler full of porgies. Larry was an avid golfer and attended many golfing trips in Florida.

Larry’s love of outdoors included cooking in his yard as Larry was quite the pitmaster. Family and friends looked forward to his succulent BBQ ribs, and at holiday time, his fried turkey was the crowd favorite. Who could forget about his sweet tooth? Larry’s favorite snacks were honey buns, Pop’ems, and Miss Debbie’s Oatmeal Cream Pies. Sweets were a staple on the kitchen counter. During Christmas celebrations it was not unusual to see his traditional dinner platter of food with a hunk of Pat’s famous German chocolate cake sitting right on top.

Larry was most proud of being a grandfather. He took pride in his grandsons, John and Aiden. Larry attended John’s football games witnessing him win two CIAA football championships and graduate from college with a Bachelor’s degree. He also made a vow after retirement to spend quality time with Aiden who affectionately called him “Pop Pop”. Larry had a spirit about him that drew many local youth to him. They appreciated his guidance and considered him a father figure. Larry never met a stranger, and he will be truly missed and forever loved by all.

Larry transitioned from this life to be in the presence of the Lord on Thursday October 6, 2022, at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, New York. He is proceeded in death by his parents Major and Leona Myrick Brown; sisters Ann Peterson, Rose Brown, Shirley Brown, Johnetta Thompson, Viola Brown, Mary Akal; brothers James Brown, Marvin Brown, Major Brown Jr.; niece Katina Akal.

Larry leaves behind his loving wife Patricia, his children Niesha, Larry Jr. (Darnell), Khiry and Joshua (O.J.). His grandchildren John, Aiden; special son’s Sherrod, Joseph, Jeffrey, and niece Shomekau Brown who he treated like his own daughter; siblings Geraldine Kirkland (Danville, VA), Richard (Arnita) Brown (Decatur, GA), Charlene (John) Hicks (Danville, VA), Juanita Brown (Lynch, KY), Linda Brown (Lynch, KY), Cynthia (Roger) Harrington (Browns Summit, NC) and Tyrone Brown (Lynch, KY), in-laws Betty Powell, Virginia (Eddie) Ward, George (Joy) Taylor, Faye (Donald) Nolan, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Visitation will be held Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 12 noon at the Greater Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Lynch, KY with Funeral Services following at 1 p.m. with Rev. Ronnie Hampton officiating.

Burial will follow in the Monte Vista Cemetery in Cumberland, Kentucky.

Johnson Funeral Home is Honored to Serve the Brown Family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Larry Darnell Brown, please visit our floral store.