Retired Savannah minister Robert Brown marks 100th birthday over Christmas
"On the day that Robert was born,
On the day that Robert was born,
On the day that Robert was born,
The angels were smiling and blowing on their horns,
And they danced,
They danced,
They smiled and raised up their hands,
On the day,
On the day that Robert was born."
That’s a song that a good momma I know used to sing to her children on their birthdays. It celebrates the child’s birth and ties it to heaven. It ties it to happiness and rejoicing.
On Christmas Day 1923, the angels were dancing when Robert Brown was born. Those angels are 100 years older now. They had a reunion a few weeks ago at Williams Court Apartments, and they were still smiling and raising up their hands.
That little baby grew up to be a minister, and Brown is the oldest resident at the senior apartment complex that is part of St. Joseph/Candler’s Georgia Infirmary non-profit. Housing Manager Tammy Kenkel knows what a treasure he is and set out to honor him on his historic birthday. “He was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital, so he’s been part of our community for a century.”
While helping set up the party room, she showed me the stacks of birthday cards under a banner with a hundred signatures. “We set out to get one hundred cards from St. Joseph staff and residents and members of the congregations that he has served, and we got way more than that.”
Since Brown preached his first sermon in 1949, he has made a difference in the lives of many with his quiet humility and honesty. For 65 years, he led and inspired congregations at Missionary Baptist Churches from Chatham to McIntosh counties.
From the festive blue and gold decorations and the warm spirit in the room, it was clear he continues to inspire. Kenkel invited everyone to “rejoice and be glad in the day that the Lord has made.” Brown said how touched he was to see how many people cared for him. He thanked everyone who worked on the program and said that he loved them all.
Rev. Michael Culbreth sang “To God Be the Glory” in a rich baritone. Then deejay Larry Brannen, another Williams Court resident, played tunes that had everyone smiling and swaying and dancing. His birthday playlist included “When the Saints Go Marching In,” “How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You,” and “Turn Back the Hands of Time.”
The staff served refreshments and hors d’oeuvres as Savannah Police Department officers arrived to present Brown with an SPD blanket and patch and cap. They came because of his memory of the mounted police officer who was a fixture in the Yamacraw neighborhood of his youth.
Deejay Larry had the audience guessing at the song that was the number one hit in 1923. It was “Down Hearted Blues” by Bessie Smith, and Brown’s momma might have rocked him to it.
Before cutting the cake, Kenkel reminded everyone to pose with Brown in front of the birthday banner, “So you can have a preview of what your 100th birthday at Williams Court will look like.” Brown made a wish, blew out the candles with three easy puffs, and said, “I’ve got to tell my doctor that I blew them out.”
Resident Anita Jones led the room in singing “Happy Birthday to You” as she did for 40 years as Paula Deen’s Lady and Sons designated soloist. Kenkel said, “It’s a joy for us to be able to celebrate with a man who we can see has been highly blessed and favored.”
Rev. Brown quietly offered, “I just hope to be remembered as a nice man who loved the Lord and who loved people.”
Service coordinator Gloria Culbreth beamed those sentiments right back at him, “We love you. It takes a village to turn one hundred. Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday.”
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Retired Savannah minister celebrates 100th birthday
