Johnnie Mack Brown of Michie Tennessee passed away peacefully on July 4, 2026, at the age of 77. For a man who held a deep, lifelong love for his country, it is incredibly fitting that he took his final rest on Independence Day. Born on March 29, 1949, in Pontotoc, Mississippi, to the late Leo Clinton Brown and Myrtice Helms Brown, Johnnie grew up to live a life defined by service, skill, and an unforgettable personality.

Johnnie proudly served his country for 20 years in the United States Navy, a distinguished career during which he earned an associate’s degree from Los Angeles Community College and was awarded both the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. Following his military service, he worked at LTV Steel in Counce, Tennessee, before dedicating much of his life to his own business, Brown’s Electric. As a master electrician, Johnnie possessed an incredible talent—he could fix absolutely anything electrical, and he became the first call for anyone in the community facing a problem because they knew he always had the answer. He held a deep passion for mentoring others, eagerly passing along his trade to the next generation of electricians. On October 10, 2010, he married his loving wife, Stephanie Ashe.

Outside of his work, Johnnie loved his classic 1962 Galaxie 500, which he proudly painted his favorite color, red. He also possessed a wonderful collection of life stories, including crossing paths with a then-unknown Lee Greenwood in his younger days, only to later run security at an event for the famous singer, who incredibly remembered him.

Johnnie was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Myrtice Brown; his brother, Billy Brown; his sisters, Bettie Kuha, Ruby Bolton, and Syble Smith; and his father-in-law, Robert Ashe.

His legacy of strength, ingenuity, and devotion lives on through his surviving family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Stephanie Brown of Michie, TN; his son, Lawrence Brown of Iuka, MS; his daughters, Steffanie Honey and partner JP Liautaud of Avondale, AZ, Lacie West and husband Stephen of Fort Collins, CO, and Chelsie Finenco of Nashville, TN; his mother-in-law, Doris Ashe of Stantonville, TN; his brothers-in-law, Walter Bolton of Columbus, MS, and Greg Ashe and wife Tonya of Stantonville, TN. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lee West and fiancé Lacy of Fort Collins, CO, Aburie West of Fort Collins, CO, and Ashley Stricklin of Wildersville, TN, and his great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Mae Bethune and Justin Tucker Bethune.