Joseph Thomas Brown, Sr. , also known as "JT", was born on November 10, 1941, in Washington, DC, to the late Gazella Sembly Johnson and Harold Brown Sr. The third of ten children, he lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in his early years. Later, the family moved to Annapolis, Maryland. Joseph grew up in a family that was musically inclined. He along with his siblings became known as the original singers of the group "Gay's Melodies" with their mother accompanying them on piano. As a teenager, he earned the nickname "Bing" while singing doo-wop on street corners with his friends.

After graduating from Bates High School, he enlisted in the United States Army. Joseph applied and completed Officer Candidate School rising to the rank of Major. Due to a reduction in forces, Joseph was given the opportunity to remain in the Army as an enlisted soldier at the rank of Sergeant. Through tenacity, discipline, and strong will, he rose to the highest enlisted rank of Command Sergeant Major. Joseph's career in the military spanned 28 and a half years. His service continued after his retirement in 1988, when he moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, and became a teacher in the Indianapolis school system. He found his calling back with the Army as a civilian with the Department of Defense/Army Community Services, where he worked for another twenty years and eventually retiring in 2003.

While Joseph was stationed at the Chaplain Center and School, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, he met the love of his life. He and Normine married in 1987 at Fort Hamilton, New York. A staunch advocate for the pursuit of education, Normine encouraged and supported Joseph as he obtained his Bachelor's Degree from Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii and further pursued his Master's Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Resource Management from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

Joseph was a man of many talents and passions. He found great joy in dueting with his beloved wife, Normine, as wedding singers in Indiana and throughout the Fort Belvoir community. He was famous for his love of bowling and the seriousness with which he approached the sport.

Bowling etiquette wasn't optional in Joseph's world—everyone around him had to know the rules. No cookout occurred without Joseph enjoying a good game of volleyball or horseshoes. An avid boater, no fish stood a chance when he had a reel in his hand, often giving all the fish away in community parking lots. He was known for his "P's" catchphrase — "Prior, Proper, Planning, Prevents, Poor, Performance"—and for his scratch made hot rolls and sweet potato pie. He would try to eat "Blue Crabs" year round. Joseph loved to draw, ski and cruise. His favorite destinations were Mexico, Aruba, and Hawaii.

Family was always important to Joseph. He deeply adored his four children instilling values of faith, giving back to the community, and leading life with a gentle spirit. He was a friend to all, welcoming each person with humor, warmth, and a brilliant wit. He drew others in effortlessly' never meeting a stranger. Those who were fortunate enough to know him quickly discovered the kindness, warmth, and sincerity that defined his life. To young children he was known as the "Candy Man." Always having a pocket-full of cough drops or candy, he was eager to share.

Joseph provided monetary support to youth ministries so all children were given opportunities to participate in events. He was the epitome of the scripture in 2 Corinthians 9:7 "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" always exuding a heart of generosity.

Joseph embodied the call to service outlined for deacons in Acts 6. Deeply committed to his faith, he was baptized in 1996. As chairman of the deacon board, throughout his tenure at Rock of Faith and Shiloh Temple of Praise, Joseph faithfully guided, trained, and directed the initial core of deacons, fulfilling his calling to serve God's people. Over the decades, his mentorship and leadership helped shape deacons spanning across Indiana, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. His dedication to God's work was especially evident through the SHARE program which provided food to both civilian and military communities. At Montclair Tabernacle Church of God, Joseph shared his gifts through the choir, supported the missions ministry, participated with the Gideons, and contributed to the Royal Rangers. His life was a lasting example of faith in action and service to others.

Joseph passed away peacefully at home on the morning of February 5, 2026. His legacy includes his four children, Joseph Jr., Travisha Spruill (Rick), Sean (Retta) and Chauntae; seven grandchildren, Diamanté (Olivia), Davana, Joey, Jonathan, Sean, Zariya, Saige, and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Gloria Brown and Jennifer Johnson, and leaves behind seven siblings, Yvonne, Harold (Sally), Ernestine Cotman, Gazella "Lynn" Oluwatobi (Henry), and George Johnson, Jr., Brian (Sandra), Karen Foote; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

A viewing will be held at Shiloh Temple of Praise, 12 Shiloh Way, Stafford, VA 22556, on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 AM. The interment will follow at Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Road, Quantico, VA, 22172, at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Joseph's honor to 501c3, Dogs Inc. ( dogsinc.org ) to help fund their endless work to create change for Veterans and much more.