Brown's Funeral Home Under New Management

  • The Grand Rapids Times
  • January 4th, 2019
Pastor Nathaniel Moody

Grand Rapids – Pastor Nathaniel Moody made an official announcement, Thursday, that he is now the Manager and CEO of the Brown's Funeral in Grand Rapids and Toomes Funeral Homes in Muskegon, Michigan.

He started in the position last fall when the owner, Michael Brown, became ill. Brown is recuperating.

Moody, Pastor at Brown - Hutcherson, a City Commissioner, Third Ward, and member of several community organizations, said to the Grand Rapids Times that he is up to the task.

"I actually took over on September 7, 2018." said Pastor Moody. "I have a lot on my plate, but with my son and my nephew as the staff at both funeral homes, we will be doing everything within our power to improve our services and to improve on quality.

Brown's Funeral Home holds the unique distinction of being the oldest, existing Black - owned business in Grand Rapids.

Milo Brown, original owner, opened his first funeral home in the Spring of 1925, at 25 Sycamore, S.E. He opened a second location at 603 Jefferson S.E. in 1928; and in 1932, moved the funeral home to its current location at 627 Jefferson.

"After serving the Grand Rapids community for 65 years, Milo Brown's tradition of quality service was placed in the hands of Michael B. Johnson who — unknown to a lot of people — has owned and operated Brown's Funeral Home since January 1985," Pastor Moody said.

"The funeral home is going to carry on in that tradition."