MR. LAURELL BROWN

Rev. Laurell (Rell Rell) was born on September 19, 1960, in Terre Haute, Indiana, to Mayola Anita Brown (Long) and Bobby Joe William.  With great honor, Laurell, at a young age, took on the name Brown, bestowed by the honorable Max Raymond Brown. He attended Cruft Elementary School, followed by Sarah Scott Jr. High School in Terre Haute, Indiana, and graduated from Terre Haute South High School. He also studied Marketing from 1979 to 1981 at Indiana Vocational Technical College.

Rev. Laurell gave his life to Christ at an early age at Calvery Missionary Baptist Church.  There was no secret in how he loved God. He actively visited different churches, but he found his way back home at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, where he served the Lord over thirty plus years. During his time at his home church, he served as a Youth Counselor, Sunday School Teacher and Mentor. During this time, he met his lovely wife Jannie Johnson and her 3 sons and for over 24 years they shared the shades of Brown.  

Rev. Laurell established his professional career in the insurance industry almost 40 years ago, working at CNA, Safeco, Liberty Mutual, and Indiana University Health, and closing his career with Gallagher Bassett and Back 9 Golf. He, too, was a member of the IHSAA as a High School Official in good standing, refereeing across the state of Indiana.

Rev. Laurell loved organizing events, including basketball leagues, helping with Men’s ministry and marriage ministry, tailgating, The Indy 500 racetrack events, golfing, reuniting old classmates, Them Johnson’s Family events, traveling, couples/friend dinners, cornhole, family reunions, and being actively involved in nightly family prayer calls. The list goes on and on and on.

Rev. Laurell was a member of United Golf Brothers, participated in the NCAA Tournament, and previously served as Big Brother with the Greater Indianapolis chapter in 1994.

Rev. Laurell was an Assistant Coach at Northview Middle School in 1999, Boys Scoutmaster from 1998 to 1999, 7th Grade Football Assistant Coach (Northview) from 1996 to 1999, and coached Football at Washington Township, and a Coordinator/Coach Youth from 1993 to 1995, and an Assistant Coach for Little League from 1986 to 1988.   

Rev. Laurell played on the All-Star Team for St. Vincent Health and Hospital from 1986 to 1987, where he received the Most Valuable Player award for the league and tournament.

Rev. Laurell departed this earthly life to be with his Heavenly Father on November 17, 2025, at the age of 65 years old.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Mayola A. Brown, his father, Max R. Brown, and his brothers, Bobby Joe Jr. and Timmy Dunn.   

He is survived by his wife Jannie Johnson-Brown, his dad Bobby Joe Williams, three sons—Kenneth W. Jr., Kevin T. Johnson, and Kwame’ M. Johnson, five grandchildren; Keniyah, Alacia, KeSean, Kameron, and Kyrie, and Goddaughter Brianna Ojata, as well as his sisters, Lenora Clayton, Zoe Wigfall, Sherry Woods, and Jonesha Rapier; brothers, Darin Brown and Eric Brown (Adrienne) and a host of aunties and uncles.

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