REIDSVILLE - Deacon James Lawson Brown, age 81, transitioned peacefully into eternal life on the morning of Friday, January 3, 2025 at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, NC surrounded by his family.

Public viewing will begin on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 from 12 until 6 p.m. at McLaurin-Harris Funeral Home, 721 East Morehead Street, Reidsville, NC.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 1 p.m. from the Blackwell Missionary Baptist Church, 4777 Highway 158 W, Yanceyville, NC. The family visitation will take place at 12:30 p.m. Reverend Tommy Williamson will officiate and Pastor Quinzel L. Comer Sr., eulogist.

Military honors by the United States Army Honor Guard as well as rites by the Department of Adult Corrections Honor Guard and Lone Star Lodge #33 F&AM (PHA) will follow.

Interment will be held in Grooms Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, 2166 Grooms Road, Reidsville, NC.

You may live stream the services via https://www.youtube.com/@McLaurin-Harris_Live

The entire service will also be posted on the McLaurin-Harris Funeral Home Facebook page.

James was born on November 16, 1943, in Caswell County, NC, to the late George and Betty Brown. His family later moved to Reidsville, NC, where he grew up. Known affectionately as Lawson, he graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Reidsville in 1962.

Lawson was drafted into the United States Army in 1964 and proudly served in Vietnam. After his honorable discharge, he eventually began a distinguished career with the North Carolina Department of Corrections. He started at Sandy Ridge Correctional Center, and in 1978, he was promoted to lieutenant at Rockingham Correctional Center. Lawson went on to serve as the prison's assistant superintendent and later as superintendent. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and recognitions, including the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award from Governor James Hunt in 1998. He retired in 1998 as the North Piedmont Area Administrator after over 30 years of service.

In addition to his corrections career, Lawson and his wife, Hilda, were the proud owners and operators of a tobacco farm for many years. Lawson was a devoted Deacon and member of Blackwell Missionary Baptist Church. His active involvement extended into the community where he was a member of the Lone Star Masonic Lodge #33, the Fellows Club, and a lifetime member of the NAACP.

On September 2, 1967, Lawson was united in Holy Matrimony to Hilda Watkins Brown, and for 58-years they built a loving and enduring partnership.

Lawson was preceded in death by his brother, George Brown, and his sisters, Mary Daniels and Bessie Henderson.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Hilda Brown; two sons, Darian Brown of Reidsville, NC, and Christopher Brown of Concord, NC; sisters-in-law Annie Brown of Rocky Point, NC, Theresa Watkins of Reidsville, NC, Tilda Morehead of Reidsville, NC, Jacqueline Watkins of Reidsville, NC; brother-in-law, Melvin (Burrell) Watkins of Durham, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, all of whom will cherish his memory.

Lawson's legacy of dedication to family, service, and community will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Service by McLaurin-Harris