Reverend Matthew C Brown

With deepest sympathy, we at Graham and Godwin Funeral home regret to announce the passing of Reverend Matthew C. Brown of Lake City, South Carolina.

Please keep the Brown family in your thoughts and prayers.

Footprints Left in the Sands of Life

Matthew Conniel Brown was born in Lake City, South Carolina on November 14, 1932, to the union of the late Jonathan Brown, Sr. and Lillian Graham.

Matthew’s educational journey began in the public schools of Florence County. He graduated from Lake City High School and continued his post secondary and graduate studies at Claflin College, Orangeburg, SC with a Bachelor of Science Degree in General Science, Pastor Course of Study at Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta, GA and South Carolina State College, Orangeburg, SC with a Master of Education. He worked faithfully for Florence County District Three for thirty-one years ; twenty-one years as a classroom teacher, five years as principal and four years as Director of Administration. Florence County School District Three inducted Matthew into the Hall of Fame in recognition of Excellence and Meritorious Service. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” ~II Timothy 2:15 Accepting the call on his life as a minister of the gospel; Reverend Brown served the following charges: East Camden, Mars Bluff, Syracuse, Sandy Bluff, Bennettsville Circuit, Kingstree East, North Sumter and Faith. In September 1999, the South Carolina Annual Conference presented to Reverend Brown the Certificate of Appreciation for service rendered. Reverend Brown served twenty-four years as a part-time Supply Pastor and ten years of full-time service. He also served in the following capacities: member of the Black Methodist for Church Renewal, Florence District; District Board of Church Location and Building; Committee on Superintendency; District Board, Congregational Development and the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Manor of the Pee Dee. Reverend Brown served on the United Way Planning Board, the Board of Directors of Lower Florence County Hospital, the Board of Directors of the Lake City Public Library, and the Board of Directors of Lake City Branch of Carolina First Bank. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International in 2007, and appointed by the Governor to serve as a member of the Florence County Department of Social Services Board. Reverend Brown is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Saint Joseph Lodge #450 Free and Accepted Masons, Royal Arch Masons/PHA Circle Chapter #30, and the Lake City Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He received the Citizen of the Year Award in 1997, the Humanitarian Award in 2000, and the Men of Steel Award in 2002 and a certificate and badge in recognition as an honorary police officer for dedicated and humanitarian contributions to the City of Lake City presented by Chief Billy Brown and Mayor Lovith Anderson in 2010, and serves on the board for the Boys and Girls Club Youth and Technology Center of Lake City. Reverend Brown was preceded in death by his wife Mildred Speights Brown; two sons, Merek Conniah Brown and Merwyn C. Brown; one grandson, Quinton Major; one sister; four brothers; and two sisters-in-law. Reverend Brown leaves to cherish his memory: two daughters: Gayle (Bobby) Williams of Lake City and Geralyn M. Brown of Lumberton, NC; two sons; Marshall Burgess and Mitchel (Barbara) Burgess of South Orange, NJ 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Bessie Rose of Quincy, SC; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.