Matthew Lawrence Brown Sr. was born October 10, 1943 in Canton, Ohio and was called home on December 15, 2016. He was a graduate of McKinley High School where he played on the championship football team. During his adult years, he continued to follow Bulldogs football through various championships and state titles. Matt attended and played football for North Carolina A&T University. He was truly an avid sports fan who played and coached a multitude sports throughout his life. He had an extraordinary gift of being able to recall & recite statistics of different championships that he shared with anyone who gave him their ear. Matt enjoyed a diverse work history to include employment at Detroit Diesel and Ford Motor Company, Detroit, MI.; Victory Economic Development Nantucket Apts., Manager, Alliance, OH; Babcock and Wilcox, R & D, Alliance, OH. and Wal-Mart, Canton, OH. He tapped into his entrepreneurial side while operating a restaurant with his brother Jimmy in Baltimore, MD. Matt loved to travel and rightfully boasted about visiting 49 of the 50 United States. He loved his family and offered support and encouragement to his children in all their endeavors. He survived esophageal cancer in 2015 and was pronounced cancer free in March 2016. Matt attended St. Paul AME church where he was a member of the choir and men's club. Matt is preceded in death by his parents Matthew L. and Corine M. Brown and Jeanette L. Wright and nephew Antoine P. Hodge. Matt is survived by his wife Brunetta Brown, sister Corrine M. Brown, brother Jimmy (Shirley) Ball, children Matthew L. Brown Jr., Matrell L. Hawkins, Mattlyn (Dante`) Brewer, Marlo J. Harvey, and Mattrice L. Conley. Grandchildren Shana, Matthew, Kelly Ann, Jasmine, Robert, Meghan, Marlecia, Elizabeth, Marzhayee`, Jeante`, and Antonio, special niece Corrine Alexander, special cousin John Lucas, and special great nieces Janee` and Janelle, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and stepchildren