Edward W. Brown

Edward Brown died peacefully on Friday, May 26, 2023 at the age of 78. Edward was a loving father, loyal friend and teacher who you could count on to induce laughter under any circumstance. Edward’s most enduring legacy is that of coach. His kindness, his laughter, his ability to mentor young people will always be remembered and appreciated by those who knew him. Edward William Brown was born July 30, 1944 to Edward L. and Margaret Rose Brown. The family resided in Chester, PA. Edward attended school in the Chester school district. He received various honors in junior high and high school including captain of a football team in his senior year at Chester High School. Always a talented athlete, Edward received several college scholarships to play football. He chose to attend Cisco junior college in Cisco, Texas. His time at Cisco was turbulent as a Black player in the south during the height of the civil rights movement, and after one year he transferred to Cheney State College in Pennsylvania. Playing football there, and being a member of the first winning team in school history (1966) he was then asked to be a graduate assistant coach. This began his coaching career. Edward graduated from Cheney State College with his B.S.ED. in Industrial Arts. His first teaching and coaching job was in Wilmington, Delaware at PS Dupont high school in 1969. The next year he was appointed head coach making him the first black football coach in the school’s history. He served in that position for two years. He taught at Burnett Middle School until the desegregation of the Wilmington school district. He then taught at Concord high school. He spent several years teaching at Talley middle school before returning to Concord. During that time he still coached at Concord. Between 1967 and 1974, Edward played semi-pro football with Ridley Township team later called the Aston Nights. In his rookie year he was named outstanding contributor in teamwork, sportsmanship, and dedication. He has been very fortunate to have coached championship games, two baseball state championships and three football championships. Edward has been a member of Murphy AME church from the time he came into the world until his death. In 1976 he was initiated into the Nu Upsilon chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. He later became a member of the Epsilon Pi chapter in Chester, PA. Amongst his many recognitions and awards, Edward was recognized for his dedication by Murphy in 2003. In 2009, he received the Elder Statesmen award by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Epsilon Pi chapter. In addition to those recognitions, the Delaware State Assistant Coach of the Year plaque was named after him and he received the very first award. Edward has been married twice, first to Audrey Bowie, then to the late Paulette Thomas Brown. He is survived by four children, Edward Johnson, Mark Johnson, Tara James and Omari James, Goddaughter Shanell Knox, daughter in spirit, Michelle Myers, six grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Dad, you brought indescribable joy into our lives. You are loved and you will be missed every day. The Family

Edward W. Brown

July 30, 1944 - May 26, 2023