Paul L. Brown Sr., age 77 - son of Saul L. Brown, Jr. and Inez Brown - was born October 8, 1947, in Fairfax, West Virginia. Paul professed Christ at an early age and became a member of Providence Baptist Church in Akron, Ohio, under the pastorage of Rev. J.W. Wheeler. He was a graduate of Buchtel High School. Paul met the Love of his Life, Barbara Bracy at a talent show at South High School, where they both performed with their singing groups-The Blue Bells (Barbara) and The Esquires (Paul). They were married March 28, 1970. Paul was employed as a machinist at McNeil Corporation; a salesman, Sales Manager and General Manager at Spitzer Auto in Akron. He was in sales at Dillard's and Lucky Shoes, as well as a Manager at Wendy's and KFC. He never met a stranger. If he did, they weren't strangers for long. Paul was involved in many bowling leagues. He coached the West Akron Little League Tiger Baseball Team for two years. He coached one team to the State game in Oregon, Ohio. The team was playing for the right to go to the National Championship in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, but lost. This past summer, one of the young men visited Paul to thank him for the impact that he had on his life. Several of the young men have gone on to play professional basketball, while others have established careers in the community. Paul was a member of the Heavenly Gospel Singers Group and toured throughout Northeast Ohio, Michigan, Texas, and Alabama. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Saul, Jr. and Inez Brown; brother, Otis Brown; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Pastor James Bracy, Sr. and Zeola Bracy. He leaves to cherish many memories and joyous laughter his wife, Barbara Brown; sons, Melvin D.(Aqila) Brown, Paul, Jr. (Amy); four brothers -Arthur Lee (Carmen); Saul, II (Lynetta); Albert, Sr.; Michael Brown; brother-in-law, Pastor James, Jr. (Elizabeth), Las Vegas, NV; sisters-in-law- Evangelist Annie Ashford and Bishop Josephine Smith, of Houston, TX; Maggie White (Pastor Levert) of Mesa, AZ; Evangelist Brenda Bracy of Canton, OH; and Minister Lisa Wilson (Courtney) of Sun City, AZ; grandchildren - Nikkita, Lonnie, Krystine, Dominique (Todd), Stacee, Desere, Zoe, Duane; one great-grandson - Nathan and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.