Lonnie was born to Cecil and Mae Brown in New Port News, Virginia, on June 04, 1944, and spent his early years in Bassett, Virginia. He is preceded in death by Cecil and Mae, his brother Frank Leroy Brown, and his first wife, Dianne Eady Brown. He was proud to become an Eagle Scout and graduated from Bassett High School in 1962. He attended the University of Virginia for two years before joining the Air Force during the height of the Vietnam war. He had two tours of duty in Vietnam and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant E-5. He met and married Dianne Eady. They had a nine-year happy marriage producing two children. Sadly, Dianne passed away from a car accident, leaving Lonnie to raise a six-year-old son Tony, and a 22-month-old daughter Amanda.

In 1985, Lonnie married Shannon (Shelton), and they enjoyed a happy 37-year marriage until his passing on January 23, 2023. They joined forces and loved raising Tony and Amanda, doing church activities, and traveling in the later years of their marriage.

Lonnie finished his Batchelor’s degree at the University of South Alabama. His career included Biomedical Engineering, and he was the founding manager of this department at the University of South Alabama Medical Center. He later entered the field of telecommunications retiring at age 65.

Lonnie and Amanda had a special bond as she donated a kidney to her dad. He joined and was baptized at The First Baptist Church of Mobile, serving the church as a deacon for many years before joining the status of Senior Deacon.

After moving to Mobile, Lonnie embraced our Mardi Gras season and was a proud member of a mystic society. He loved the parades and hoped to ride in his society’s 100th parade. However, illness kept him from participating. He also was a “Roll Tide” fan and loved watching their games.

Survivors include wife Shannon, son Tony (Roxanne) Brown; daughter Amanda and her husband, Mark Hall – grandchildren Christopher Hall, Isabel Hall, and Ryan Brown; sister-in-law Debbie (Bill) Pearson and sister-in-law Sonja Brown.

He is also survived by his four-pawed best friend, Astro Brown. They enjoyed many morning and afternoon walks together.

Lonnie was a terrific husband, father, and Papa, possessing a genuine interest in folks and was a great friend to many. He led a life filled with love, faith, and compassion for others.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. on Monday, January 30, 2023 at First Baptist Church of Mobile. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday from the First Baptist Church of Mobile. Interment will be in the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Spanish Fort, AL.

Donations should be made to The First Baptist Church of Mobile – 806 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36602 or The Alabama Kidney Foundation – 265 Riverchase Pkwy E Suite 106, Birmingham, AL 35244. Arrangements are by Ascension Funeral Home, 1016 Hillcrest Road, Mobile, Alabama 36695.