Jimmie Dale Brown of Selmer, TN

July 11, 1938 - June 25, 2021

Jimmie Dale Brown was born July 11, 1938 in McNairy County, TN, the son of the late James Orlan Brown and Myrtle Dickey Brown Bennett. As a young man he farmed but wanted a better life for his family. He went to work at the age of 19 (1957) on the river and retired twice, first retirement as Port-Captain for Inland Oil & Transport Company and second retirement as Captain for Southern Towing Company at the age of 65. He tripped for another 5 years for a total of 51 years. He loved the river starting as a deckhand, and working his way to Engineer, Pilot, Captain, Port-Captain and Trip Pilot. There wasn't a day that he didn't miss the river and enjoyed talking about the towboat life. He knew every inch of the river and he was well respected up and down the rivers. He knew every boat just by the sound of the engines or a silhouette in the dark. He could tell the history of almost every boat on the river, when it was built originally, who owned it and successor owners. Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Virginia Maxine Huckabee on February 17, 1956. Mrs. Brown preceded him in death on March 16, 2015. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Selmer after retiring. He loved his church and especially his men's Sunday School Class. Jimmie and Maxine loved to travel and visited every state except one, New Jersey. They especially loved cruises. Their favorites were the Panama Canal and Alaska. He loved to walk at the Civic Center and missed his buddies after getting sick. After his life on the river, he didn't have hobbies like most but he loved working in the yard and it definitely showed. It was beautiful. He was an excellent cook. After Maxine's passing, he enjoyed preparing many delicious dinners for Richard and Pam, which they loved. Mr. Brown spent the last several years at Lynnfield Place and loved each of these special ladies who cared so much. He departed this life on June 25, 2021 in Selmer, Tennessee at the age of 82 Years, 11 Months, 14 Days. He is survived by his children: Dale Brown and wife Carolyn of Pickwick Dam, TN, Charlotte Stanfield and husband Arnold of Ramer, TN, Pam Mitchell and husband Richard of Selmer, TN; a sister, Mary Nell Felts; four grandchildren: Rodney Stanfield and wife Amber, Heather Dickey, Lindsey Henson and husband Adam, Randy Stanfield and wife Molly; step grandchild, Angel Roberts and husband Tom; nine great grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends. In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Brown was preceded in death by a brother, Wendell Brown; two sisters, Linda Kay Broadway and Jean Hallman. A Graveside Service will be held at 3 pm on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at the Hope McNairy County Memorial Cemetery in Selmer, Tennessee with Joey Johnson officiating. www.shackelfordfuneraldirectors.com Memorial may be made to the First Baptist Church of Selmer, TN.