NATCHEZ — Services for J.I. “Brother” Brown Jr., 85, of Natchez, who died Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at his residence, will be at 11 a.m. today at St. Mary Basilica with the Rev. David O’Connor officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time today at the church.

Mr. Brown was born Nov. 11, 1925, in Natchez, the son of Joseph Irvin Brown Sr. and Ora Mae Marlow Brown.

Mr. Brown retired as locomotive engineer from Missouri Pacific Railroad. He was a graduate of St. Joseph Catholic School and proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of St. Mary Basilica and the American Legion. Mr. Brown was a devoted husband and a loving grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, John Thomas Brown.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Doris Curlee Brown; two daughters, Patty Brown Barlow of Natchez and Mary Frances Coronis and husband, Glen, of Hixson, Tenn.; four sons, Joseph I. Brown III of Clinton, Michael T. Brown of Vidalia, Donald J. Brown of Natchez and Daniel Bruce Brown of Canton; 15 grandchildren, Michael T. Brown Jr., Crystal Marie McManus and husband, James Earl, Katie Barlow, Donald James Brown Jr. and wife, Amy, Parker Brown, Chase Brown, Rebecca Brown, Joseph I. Brown IV, Stephen Brown, Christopher Brown, Jonah Coronis, Jacob Coronis, Nicholas Coronis, Jason Knight and Richard Knight; five great-grandchildren, Michael T. Brown III, Shelbi McManus, Ryder Grace McManus, Olivia Brown and Eli Brown; two sisters, Jennie LeCombe of Natchez and Mary Catherine Gunter of Zachary, La.; and one special cousin, Carl Vincent Brown Jr. of Natchez.

Pallbearers will be Michael T. Brown, Glen Coronis, Joseph I. Brown III, Michael T. Brown Jr., Donald J. Brown and Daniel Bruce Brown.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.