NATCHEZ — On a small patch of green space on State Street, an oak tree was planted Friday morning to commemorate the life of Ronny Brown.

And while the tree is still thin and has few branches, it will serve as a reminder of the county’s late Sheriff Brown.

Brown died at his home from a heart attack in early March,

Friday’s planting was sponsored by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and was originally intended as a way to prompt Adams County to celebrate Arbor Day.

Brown’s tree was planted between the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and the Adams County Board of Supervisors’ Office.

However, at a county meeting shortly after Brown’s death, Adams County Supervisor Darryl Grennell made a motion that a tree be planted in Brown’s honor.

Grennell said since the motion to plant the tree and Arbor Day coincided, the two events were conducted simultaneously.

“This is just a great way for the county to honor and remember Sheriff Brown,” Grennell said. “He was a great man, and he was a great mentor for a lot of people in this county.”

Several county employees, most of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and city leaders attended the event.

Angie Brown, Brown’s widow and interim sheriff, also spoke at the tree planting.

“This is a beautiful living tribute,” Brown said. “He has blazed a trail that no one else will be able to follow. Now with (the tree) his memory will live with us forever in our hearts and in our minds.”

Shortly after Brown’s tree was planted, Natchez Mayor Jake Middleton and a handful of city employees headed to the bluff to plant a tree in honor of the city’s employees.

“They’re not as visible as some of us,” he said of those who keep the city running. “But they work just as hard, and they do a great job for this city. And I appreciate everything they do for this city.”