Billy Ray Brown, 89 of Kerens, passed away from this earth to his eternal home on Monday, November 13, 2023 surrounded by his kids.

He was born in Shad Hollow on February 5, 1934 to Bertran and Opal Lee Covin Brown. He spent his first years riding a stick horse on his momma's cotton sack. Wilson school, a one room building that housed grades 1 through 4, was his first form of education. By this time he had a real horse, "Old Smokey", that he and two little girls he would go by and pick up, rode to school every day. His family eventually moved to Kerens where he was enrolled in Kerens ISD. All four years of high school he pitched for the Bobcats and was their ace. He also met his future wife, Melinda McCown, at good old Kerens High. Upon graduation he went to work in the oil field starting out as a derrick man and ending up as a tool pusher. He and Malinda were married on July 27, 1954. They were blessed with 6 children. After retiring from the oil field he work 20 years for Navarro County Precinct 2.

Billy Ray is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 49 years, son, Herbert Ray and one sister, Linda Warren. Left to mourn him is his sister, Barbara Sue Jones (Jeff) of Excelsior Springs, MO., sons, Bradley Ray, Benny Mac and Brian Russell, daughters, Malinda Beth Lyle, Penny Lee Reagan (George) all of Kerens. 9 Grandchildren, Brandy Jenkins, Sandy Patterson (Patrick), Jennifer Stinson (Marcus), Jacob Brown (Sandra), Charlie Raney (Henry), Amber Digman (Justin), Kristal Johnson, Meagan Brown, and Brianna Randall (Mario); 14 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren. He was the patriarch of 5 generations.

Pallbearers will be great grandsons, Jase Butler, Justin Jenkins, Jake Patterson, Bree Warren, Brent Warren, Justin Digman, Henry Raney and son Brian Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be B. H. Upchurch, R. G. Tramel and Don Paschal.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 6 pm to 8 pm at Paschal Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 2 pm Sunday, November 19, 2023 at Paschal Funeral Home with Bro. Frank Upchurch officiating. Private graveside service will follow in the Kerens Cemetery. He will be laid to rest by his wife and baby son. His last ride will be in his beloved 1980 Chevy pickup that he purchased brand new. He was very proud of the fact that it had only 57,000 actual miles and that the oil had been changed every 1500 miles whether it needed it or not.

Arrangements by Paschal Funeral Home.