Funeral services have been announced for the superintendent of the West Memphis School District.
The West Memphis School District announced the passing of Dr. Terrence A. Brown on May 21. A wake is set for Friday, May 31, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at First Missionary Baptist Church on S 12th St.
The Homegoing Celebration will be Saturday, June 1 at Lehr Arena on West Broadway. A viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with the service to follow. A repast will be held after the funeral at First Missionary Baptist following the service.
Dr. Brown began was superintendent of the district for less than one year, starting in July of 2023. Previously, he worked as the deputy superintendent for the Forrest City School District as well as serving as a regional superintendent, executive director, high school principal and middle school principal in Memphis, according to the board’s news release at the time.
School board president of the West Memphis School District (WMSD) Dr. Kim Wolfe released a statement regarding the recent loss of superintendent Dr. Brown that is as follows:
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Superintendent Dr. Terrence A. Brown. Our West Memphis School District family is grieving, and we are asking for your thoughts and prayers as we navigate through this day and the days ahead. We are asking that you respect the privacy of the Brown family and keep them in your prayers. As more information is available about services we will share additional details.
WMSD will convene at 6PM at the Academies of West Memphis to honor the memory of Dr. Brown. We encourage the community to join us in remembrance of him. The School Board meeting has been postponed to tomorrow. All official business will be deferred to 5PM Wednesday 22, 2024. The business meeting will be held at the WMSD Central Office 301 South Avalon.
Before he became superintendent, Brown stated that he was "honored" to be selected by the Board of Education to serve in the role.
"The prospect of returning to my home town and leading our school district is not something that I take lightly," Brown said in July. "The kind words of support that I have received from members of the community are a source of encouragement. I know that there is work to be done, and I am looking forward to beginning this journey."
Following Brown's death, West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon released the following statement:
Today, our West Memphis School District family is grieving the loss of an extraordinary leader and dedicated advocate for our students and community. Dr. Brown’s unwavering commitment to education and impactful leadership left an indelible mark on the city of West Memphis. During this difficult time, we ask that you keep the Brown family, faculty, and students in your thoughts and prayers and respect their privacy as they navigate this profound loss. Dr. Brown’s legacy will continue to inspire and guide us all, and we are forever grateful for his contributions to our schools, children, faculty, and community.
