Lawrence Perry Brown passed away shortly after midnight in the early morning hours of August 4, 2026, at the age of seventy-two, in Fresno California, at Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC).  He is now resting peacefully with our Lord and Savior!

Lawrence, widely known as Larry, while his family affectionately knew and called him Perry from childhood.  He was born on April 9, 1954, in Bedford County to Betty Brown and Lawrence Murphy.  He was his mother's eldest son.  As a young boy, he grew up in and around Goodview, Troutville, and Roanoke, Virginia, where he graduated from William Fleming High School and played football in 1971.

That same year at the tender age of seventeen, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he had the great opportunity to travel many places worldwide stationed at such Air Force Bases located in Texas, London England, Las Vegas, Nevada, Anchorage, Alaska, Norton Air Force base in San Bernardino, California, Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., Yokota Air Force Base in Fussi Shi, Japan, where he got baptized in January of 1989 after rededicating his life to the Lord.  He faithfully attended church services and bible studies under Pastor Darryl E. Cotton and sang in the choir; he was a great soloist.  After serving three years in Japan, he was assigned to George Air Force Base in Victorville, California, and then on to his last military assignment located in Atwater, California, Castle Air Force Base, where he honorably retired as Master Sergeant serving twenty-two years of military service.  His accomplishments while serving his Country Lawrence received Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Overseas Ribbon-Long w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, United States Air Force NCO PME Graduate Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, Air Force Good Conduct Medal Silver Bronze Medal, Air Force Training Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star.  He served 2 August 1990 to 31 August 1995 in Support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

In December of 1984, while stationed at Norton Air Force Base, San Bernardino, he met Joyce Sweatt and they fell in love and married on April 17, 1986, in Washington, D.C., and from that union were born two daughters, Lauren Nekole, born in 1990 and Fateema Latrice, born in 1994.   He lavished so much love towards his daughters, dropping them off and picking them up from school, taking them to their doctor's appointments, and most importantly, teaching them the Word of God as their Pastor while they were growing up.

After moving to Castle Air Base housing in Atwater, California, in 1993, Lawrence drove his family to Shekinah Glory Apostolic Church in Madera, California, each Sunday for worship and weekly bible studies.

Lawrence served as an Armor Bearer and was ordained a Deacon in 1994 under Prophet Veron Ashe.  After retiring in 1995, the family relocated to Madera, California to attend church.  Shekinah Glory relocated and the Brown family joined and started attending Hull Avenue Church of God in Christ in Madera, served under Pastor Dolphus McAlister where he received his Minister's License in 1997.

In 2001, Lawrence was ordained as Pastor of Full Life Ministries by Prophet Jeff and Prophet Michael under Vision of Hope Ministries.  Lawrence faithfully served as Pastor of Full Life Ministries for 10 years.  His passion was teaching the Word of God, not only did he faithfully set up the church each Sunday mostly alone, but he also helped others, he taught at the Madera Mission for years expecting nothing in return.  He taught in the home weekly bible studies, conducted biblical workshops, visited, helped, and prayed for members, pick up members for church and bible studies, helped them with transportation, groceries, and financially without one complaint.  He never complained about teaching and helping others.  He loved working for the Lord!

Lawrence was passionate about teaching the Word of God and enjoyed sharing his faith.  He was helpful to anyone that needed help. One of his favorite scriptures was Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Lawrence knew it was time to go; he tried calling as many people as possible to just say "I love you" and make peace with himself and the Lord; he was seeking forgiveness.  After being unresponsive for weeks while in the hospital, the Saturday before his passing, while his girls were visiting him, he spoke clearly and said to them both, "I got to go now" He always addressed them by saying "hello girls".  He loved his family so much and wanted nothing more than peace; he pursued peace!  His desire was resolving conflict with humility, and making a conscious, intentional effort to live at peace with everyone.

"Peace is not passive; it requires chasing after it rather than waiting for it to happen."  He was a man that chased after it with such passion.  He needed his family and everyone to know that he loved them.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Joyce Sweatt-Brown, daughters Lauren Nekole Acosta (son-in-law Maurice Acosta) of Hampton Virginia, Fateema La Trice Brown of Sacramento, California, son Lawrence (Cee Cee) Brown.  Three grandchildren, Milan Marie Acosta, Micah Lawrence Acosta, Miloh Luke Acosta.

His mother, Betty Bagby; his siblings, Donald, Alan, Louis (preceded in death), Christopher, Vincent, Linda, Debra, and a host of uncles, aunts, and cousins.

He is also survived by his in-laws James and Janice Sweatt.   Brothers and Sisters in Laws.

John 13:34-35: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

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