NATCHEZ — Services for Houston Brown Jr., 73, of Natchez, who died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011, at the Mississippi Veterans Home in Collins, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church with the Rev. Birdon Mitchell officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez National Cemetery under the direction of Robert D. Mackel and Sons Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time Friday at the church.

Mr. Brown was born Feb. 14, 1937, in Natchez, the son of Houston Brown Sr. and Carlotta Metacalfe Brown. He was a graduate of Sadie V. Thompson High School.

Mr. Brown retired with more than 40 years combined service in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Civil Services. He was a Methodist and a member of Zion Chapel.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Alberta Ransom.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn A. Brown of Rancho Cordova, Calif.; one daughter, Nicole Brown of Sacramento, Calif.; one son, Averell Brown and wife, Angie, of Rancho Cordova; one grandchild, Marihya Janae Brown; four sisters, Willie Evelyn Woodson of Chicago, Eugenia Perry of Natchez, Sarah Jamison of Jackson and Helen Nicholson of Hattiesburg; and a number of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Pallbearers will be nephews and friends of the family.

In lieu of flowers, if desired, contributions may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, National Association of American Veterans or a charity of choice.