Sherman Nathaniel Brown Jr.
JULY 8, 1951 – AUGUST 15, 2016
IN THE CARE OF
Sherman Brown, Jr., lifelong resident of Columbia MO, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loving family and friends on August 15, 2016.
Sherman was the son of Sherman Sr. and Madge Brown, born at Boone County Hospital on July 8, 1951, the 6th of 9 children. He was a 1969 graduate of Hickman High School and an Army Reservist from 1971 to 1979. Though Sherman did not have a formal education beyond high school, anyone that knows him agrees he has his doctorate in people. Tall people, short people. Black people, orange people. Rich people, poor people. It really didn’t matter to him who you are and where you’ve come from, you’re his friend. In 1968 he began working for Bill and Rose Lindsey at Lindsey Rentals and never left. Sherman and partner Bill Spry took over ownership in 1980, where he was known for dishing out advice alongside rental equipment and for mentoring a multitude of teens. His passion for Lindsey’s, its employees, both past and present, and its customers continued into his last days.
Though Sherman was honored many times during his life with numerous awards and recognitions, his most proud recent accomplishment was living a full six months past the birth of his newest grandson, Malakhi Sherman Lee Moore. Malakhi’s presence was an irreplaceable gift during a time that tested the strength of our Superman!
Survivors include his devoted wife of 28 years, Vicki, children Rickea Lynn Bacon of Avon, Indiana, Sherman (Mollie) Brown III of Columbia and Whitney (De’Vion) Moore of Columbia, siblings Marva Jo Brown, Sandra (James) Turner, Janice Brown and Daniel (Donna) Brown, 13 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, as well as a multitude of brothers and sisters-in law, cousins, nieces, nephews and lifelong friends. Sherman was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Barbara Ballenger, Shirley Donnell, Elane Agee and Nathalyn Forrest, son-in-law Steven Bacon and granddaughter Nadine Bacon.
Visitation will be on Friday, August 19 from 5-8 pm at Broadway Christian Church, 2601 West Broadway, Columbia, MO. A Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, August 20 at 11 am at The Crossing, 3615 Southland Drive, Columbia, MO. The processional will depart The Crossing and take Providence Road to Sexton, passing Lindsey Rentals, for anyone who might want to stand along the route and pay their last respects. A private family graveside service will immediately follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
A scholarship fund is being established in Sherman’s name for deserving Columbia Public School seniors who embody his values of citizenship, altruism and responsibility. Checks can be mailed to: Columbia Public Schools, Attn: Sherman Brown, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, 1818 West Worley Street, Columbia, MO 65203.
Sherman spent a lifetime helping others. It was not until after his diagnosis in 2015 that he was able to truly grasp the impact he had on others. The outpouring of support from friends and family was a bittersweet realization that he HAD made a difference.
Well done my good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord. Matthew 25:23
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