Michael "Mike" William Brown

Michael William (Mike) Brown, 73, entered his heavenly home Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at Hendrick Medical Center South in Abilene, Texas.  Mike was born September 10, 1950 in Hamlin, Texas, the oldest child of James and Rebecca (Jones) Brown. He was the first grandchild on both sides of the family and spent his early years enjoying country life in the Neinda community near Hamlin.

Mike attended Hamlin Public Schools and graduated in 1969. He was proud of his Pied Piper heritage and his time playing football.  His friends and teammates called him “Tractor.” He married George Anne Pruitt on December 22, 1972. They were blessed with three biological children, Sarah, Roy, and Micah.  After the death of George Anne’s sister Janette, they were honored to add her three children, Scott, Marti, and Kent to their family.

Mike surrendered his life to Jesus Christ and was a life-long minister of the Gospel.  He pastored Park Drive Baptist Church in Levelland, Texas; First Baptist Church, Ira, Texas; Bible Way Fellowship in Snyder, Texas and has been the Associate Pastor of The Word is Life Deliverance Church in Snyder for the past 25 years.  Mike loved missions.  He went on numerous mission trips to Mexico and also went to Spain and Guatemala on mission trips.  He was an anointed evangelist, Bible teacher, worship leader, and preacher. He was a founding member of the Mesquite Country Christian Community and served as a spiritual director on many Walks to Emmaus and Closer Walks. He was a person who truly loved people, both young and old. In fact, he started his preaching ministry holding weekly services at the nursing home in Levelland. Countless lives have been changed because of his ministry.

Mike was a hard worker.  In addition to pastoring, he worked in the oilfield for several years running a pulling unit.  He also worked in the wholesale gift business with his close friends, Joe and Nathalie Kelley, and worked as the laundry captain at the Price Daniel Unit in Snyder.  He never let anything stop him.  When he became disabled in 2004, he decided to finish his education.  He had earned an associate degree from Western Texas College in 1990.  He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in 2006 from the University of Texas at Arlington and a master’s degree in 2009 from the University of Texas at Brownsville. At the time of his death, he was the owner of SonSites Web Production and really enjoyed building and maintaining websites.

Mike and George Anne had a “gift” for opening their home to children and adults who needed a place to live. Numerous people have called their house “home”.  They have had as many as 13 people at a time living under their roof! They created a refuge for children that needed surrogate parents and adults that needed ministry. Their love and generosity has known no bounds.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, James Brown, his sister, Debra Brown, his son, Kent Groat, and his great-grandson, Waylon Quested. He is survived by his wife, George Anne; his sons, Roy and wife Ruthie Brown of Snyder, and Scott and wife Dana Groat of Roby, Texas; his daughters, Sarah and husband Will Inman of Virginia, Micah and husband Christopher Bluto of Fort Worth, Texas, and Marti and husband Ward Baze of Snyder; his mother, Rebecca Brown of Snyder and his brother, Dan and wife Elaine Brown of McCamey, Texas; his grandsons, Seth Inman of Virginia, Anthony Jones, Trevor Groat, and Thayer Groat of Snyder, Alston Groat and Kaleb Kenyon of Florida, Braedan Groat of South Dakota, Bryan Kenyon of Carrollton, Texas, Jacob Kenyon of Roby, and Audie Baze of Lubbock, Texas; his granddaughters Caitlin Farrington of Virginia, Lexie Brown and Vivian Baze of Snyder, Tabitha Fly of Pearland, Texas, Becky Davis of Roby, Bethany Groat of Kansas, and Carrie Groat of Missouri; numerous great-grandchildren, cousins, and other family and friends.

Services will be held at The Word is Life Deliverance Church in Snyder at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 1, under the direction of Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home.  A time of visitation and fellowship with family and friends will follow immediately after the service.