Rodney, Brown

Rodney Leroy Brown was the only child born to the union of Floyd L. Brown and Dolly Smith Brown, on January 18, 1949 in Kansas City Missouri. He began his educional journey in 1954 the original Benjamin Banneker Elementary School, Graceland Elementary School and gradued from the Paseo High School in the class of 1967. While Paseo he played Football, Basketball and was on the swim team. After high school, he tended the old Kansas City junior college now called the Metropolitan Community Colleges and was a member of the schools very first Basketball team, earning the nickname “Downtown Brown” Rodney then tended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri where he gradued in 1980 with degrees in Business Administrion and Sociology. While Lincoln University he served as Drum Major in the band and was Co-Founder of the Student Defense Fund. He also played basketball with the Jeff City Flyers. In 1969, Rodney enlisted in the United Stes Navy where he served as a Navy Seal in underwer demolition during Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1971. in 1980, Rodney reloced to New York City, where he was a banker on Wall Street with Manufactures Hanover and Chase Manhtan Bank. Rodney was the person responsible for the transfer of money to free the American hostages held in Iran for 144 days, in 1981. He returned to Kansas City, Missouri in 1982 and started his career in educion Greenwood Elementary School as a Special Needs teacher. His final assignment was Harold Holiday Montessori School in May 2017. On November 24,2006 while tending the Alpha Kappa Alpha Debutante Ball, Rodney met the love of his life, best friend, and soul-me, Ronetta Coursey Buford. On November 24, 2007 , the two became one in Holy Mrimony. He also enjoyed all types of sports including Football, Basketball, and Baseball to name a few. Rodney was a Prince Hall Mason. Rodney was a life-long member of Friendship Baptist Church under the le Rev. Dr. I.H. Henderson Jr. the old Scottish Rite Temple locion on Truman Road. His service Friendship included being a dediced member of the Trustee Board, his beloved Male Chorus and Manasseh Sheepfold under Deacon Donald Prim, Sr. In 2012, Rodney became and affilied member of Bethel A.M.E. Church and in 2016 served as an Armor Bearer for the new church leadership, Bishop Clement Fue. On Surday, September 16, 2017, Rodney Leroy Brown received his wings the home with his devoted wife, mother and grandson his bedside. He leaves to cherish his life and continue his legacy, his loving wife, Ronetta Buford- Brown; his mother, Dolly M Brown; One son, Rodney Christopher Brown (Erica); one daughter, Maginta Robinson (William) all of Kansas City Missouri: his blended family son, Frederrick Budford (Price) of Montgomery Alabama; Grandchildren: Walter Wson, Troi Bidford, Zion Smith- Budford, special grandson and caregiver Darrien Budford, Simone Wells, and his “Baby Grands” Alexander and Alistar Budford; cousin/brother Charles Sayles (lucille) of Greenville, North Carolina; bestfriend/brother Melvin Page Jr. ; chosen daughter , Rowana Collins (Richard) of Memphis, Tennessee; Beulah Wigley ( Karmine and Kristen); sister- in law, Linda Scales (Hvelin); chosen sister, Carmelita Brown and a host of other relives and friends. Rest in Paradise “Downtown Brown”!