Stanley Brown was born on February 26, 1950, to Denver and Anna Pearl Brown in Clinton, Missouri. Stanley was the second oldest of ten children. At the time, the Brown family was the largest black family in the Clinton area. Denver and Anna Pearl taught their children to never see color as everyone was equal in God’s eyes. However, some within the community did not see it this way.
Stanley attended an all-black school his first-grade year in Clinton. He was the first black to attend the integrated school his second-grade year in Lincoln School in Clinton. He started working to help support his large family doing odd jobs like mowing yards and dishwashing at a young age. Children would not invite him or allow him to attend classmate’s birthday parties due to his color. That was until Maria. Stanley never forgot that she was the first girl to ever invite him to a birthday party.
At age 11 he was the first and only black to be an Eagle Scout from Clinton, Missouri. He also became a member of the Second Baptist Church of Clinton. Which later became Save Our World Ministries where his brother was Pastor. Stanley graduated from Clinton High School. After high school he attended college in Warrensburg, Missouri. Stanley’s love for music was the motivation behind his music major.
Stanley also attended John Casablanca’s school of modeling on the Plaza in Kansas City. Stanley accomplished many things in his 73 years from polite lessons to digging worms to modeling. He even owned an antique store. There is not much that he did not do. He was voted Henry County Young Democrat State Administrative Vice President where he met Bob Hope and got his autograph. Stanley was also the first African American to be the Director of the Henry County Fair Parade. “Children in Wonderland” was the theme. Stanley was able to get Jane Forman who was a famous actress and singer from the Clinton area to make an appearance. As well as Clinton’s Mayor and Missouri Governor Kit Bond, two Playboy bunnies and Miss Missouri joined the parade ceremonies.
Stanley never married. God and Jesus were his champion and he enjoyed being a Christian. Stanley’s advice to the younger generation was that they need more Jesus. Stanley was such a kind loving soul, and all were so blessed to have known him.
Stanley was preceded in death by his parents Denver and Anna Pearl Brown; his brothers, Harold Brown and Don Brown, and one sister Mary Brown-Williams.
Survivors include his siblings; Beverly Brown-Moore, Keith Brown, Deborah Brown-Hall, Vicki Brown-Jackson, Linda Brown, Valerie Brown, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.
