Video: Remembering State Senator Terry Brown

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State Senator Terry Brown’s chair in the Mississippi Senate Chamber on Friday.
Source: State Senator Nancy Collins

COLUMBUS, MISS. (WCBI) – Lowndes County and the state is grieving the loss of State Senator Terry Brown.
Brown lost his battle with lung cancer yesterday.
He served more than two decades in the legislature, helping push through economic development deals.
However, his legacy may be his friendships…

” My life has been enriched by knowing such a colorful individual as Terry Brown, ” said State Representative, Gary Chism.

Ask anyone who knew of Terry Brown and they’ll tell you..

” He had the courage of a lion and the heart of a big ol’ bear, ” said Sate Senator, Nancy Collins.

Brown served in the House of Representatives from 1988 to 2000. Then made an unsuccessful run for Lt. Governor and was elected to the Senate in 2004.

Brown was often seen in a suit at the capital but he was more comfortable in a pair of blue jeans or in camouflage.

” He was one of these guys that, you know, the stereo type from being one of these southern politicians. But he knew everybody’s first name, knew something about them, knew their family and he took care of those folks, ” said Harry Sanders, Lowndes County Supervisor.

The long-time Republican, was known for his big laugh and smile. He could entertain a room of politicians, businessmen, or voters with his unique gift of storytelling.

” In the National Guard, sometimes it’s always hurry up and wait and sometimes you’re sitting there waiting on something and you get bored and we always would play a practical joke and tell stories and he was just a very entertaining person,” said Sanders.

Brown was unanimously elected Senate President Pro Tempore. His fellow senators say, you never had to guess where Brown stood on an issue and his word was his bond.
They all have a story about Brown, this is especially true if you sat next to him in the historic chamber.

” He loved the process, he never spoke with a fork-tongue, you knew exactly where you stood with him,” said Collins.

Brown’s fingerprints are all over the economic boom in the Golden Triangle. He pushed through legislation, giving tax breaks and helped lure big companies and hundreds to the area.

“Terry played a very important role as far as the industry coming in here, ” said Columbus Mayor, Robert Smith.

Brown was born in raised in New Hope, played football at EMCC, and made a lot friends over the years.

” You never called terry that he didn’t go to bat for you. He went to bat for pharmacy, for medicine, a great deal. Lowndes county and Columbus will miss him immensely,” said New Hope Pharmacist, Gene Coleman.

” We’ve been through some good times and we’ve been through some bad times. And Terry was always there with his smile and personality and there will never be another Terry Brown, as far as I’m concerned, ” said a close friend, Patsy Cole, of New Hope.

Governor Phil Bryant has ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff across the state from Saturday until Monday in honor Brown.

Memorial services will be held Saturday for Terry Brown.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. With funeral services at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill cemetery.

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church is located in Eastern Lowndes County between New Hope and Steens.

Arrangements have been handled by Lowndes Funeral home.