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The Rev. William E. 'Duke' Brown, 87, retired, died Aug. 19. The Rev. Callie Matthews conducted his funeral service Aug. 24 at Mt. Zion UMC in Annapolis.

Brown received his post high school education from the Methodist Ministerial Training School, Morgan State College and Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C., where he graduated as an 'Approved Local Elder' in the Methodist Church. He served Carters Methodist Church in Friendship for six years, then was appointed to Huntington Charge in Calvert County.

For 31 years he also worked at the David Taylor Model Basin in North Severn.

Brown was accepted for ordination as an Elder, completed his theological training at the School of Religion in Nashville, and was ordained by Bishop John Wesley Lord.

He was appointed to Mt. Winans UMC in 1965. He moved to St. John?s in Patapsco in 1969 and stayed until 1973 when he moved to the three-point Waterbury Charge. Seven years later he went to Fowler?s UMC for one year until he retired in 1981. He had served churches for 31 years.

After retirement he continued as an assistant pastor at his home church, Mt. Zion UMC with the late Rev. Rufus Abernethy and the Rev. Roland Timity.

Brown and Pearl Anna Diggs married in 1938. She died in November, 2001. They had four children.

He was a member of the Retired United Methodist. Ministers and Mates, the Frontiers International Club, the Cook Pinkney Post #141 of the American Legion, NAACP, the Bates Alumni association and the Chancel Coir at Mt. Zion in Eastport.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his son Clennard Romero Brown and his daughter Lynette Vernay Brown.

Survivors include two children, Dr. Emerson Eugene Brown of Savannah, Ga., and Pearl Anita Green of Annapolis; seven grand children and seven great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent to Pearl A. Green, 1960 Forest Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401.