EARL HARDING BROWN, JR., was the son of the late Earl Harding Brown, Sr. and the late Lou Henry Brown. He was born on November 24, 1949, in Washington, D.C. Earl departed this life peacefully at his home in Newark, Delaware on May 20, 2023, after a long illness.

Earl was lovingly called “Buster” by his family while growing up. He attended Eastern High School in the 1960s and while there, he learned to play the clarinet. One of his music teachers was the great Roberta Flack. Earl was an excellent student and graduated from Eastern High School in Washington, D.C. He was a good role model and always encouraged his sisters to go to college and earn a degree. After graduating from Eastern High, he attended Virginia Union University where he pledged in the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Earl received his undergraduate degree from Virginia Union. He then went on to obtain his Master’s Degree from Northwestern University. He joined the U.S. Air Force where he learned engineering and was honorably discharged in 1979.

Earl was a hard-working, Christian man who attended church in his youth with his parents and sisters. In 1978, Earl married the late Maurita Shepherd. From this union he had 2 loving daughters Malia Earl Brown and Loretta Thomas and two sons, the late Reginald Shepherd and Donald Shepherd.

Earl loved and always provided well for his family. Earl enjoyed reading, swimming, playing chess, eating out and watching Christian television shows. During Earl’s career, he was hired by IBM in the computer field in the 1970s and had a long prestigious career while there and was able to retire from his position. After retiring, he was able to enjoy his family, great food and traveling to visit friends and family.

Earl was predeceased in death by his loving wife Maurita Brown, father Earl Brown, Sr., Stepmother Viola Brown, sisters, the late Doris Ann Brown Hall, and the late Diane Brown Williams.

Earl leaves to cherish his memory a loving daughter Malia Earl Brown and Loretta Thomas; sisters, Patricia Brown Stevens (Alexander), Delores Brown, Deborah Drewitt (Carlton), two brothers-in-law, one uncle; Grandchildren, Omar Rivera, Ariaya, Jordan, Loray, Maurita, Rosie, Johnnie and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.