‘Outstanding man of God’: State representative, former Jackson City Councilman passes away

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - A Jackson legislator and former member of the Jackson City Council has passed away.

Rep. Bo Brown died Monday morning after after a long illness, according to his family. He was 81.

Brown served in the Mississippi House of Representatives since 2020, representing District 70. Prior to that, he served on the Jackson City Council from 1997 to 2005.

During his tenure, he was council president three times.

Brown’s career also included time as a teacher and coach with Jackson Public Schools, and as an agent for New York Life Insurance Company.

Brown was a proud alumnus of Tennessee State University, where he was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. He also was a member of the New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

Rep. Earle Banks said Brown was not only his friend and colleague, but a his longtime insurance agent with New York Life, and was dedicated to God, his family, and the community.

“He loved to talk about growing up near the Tougaloo Community, [and] his sister, Miss Sanders who had the first boutique shop for Black women in Jackson when there was none. From there conversations would shift to his love of sports, especially football and his alma mater, Tennessee State University.”

Banks said Brown was a tireless advocate for the city of Jackson, education and criminal justice reform, HBCUs, and needy families.

“The last day that we were in session, April 15, 2026, Bo was at his desk, he stood to be recognized for questions, his questions were strong, precisely on the subject discussed... Physically, you tell he was weak, but Bo Brown was fighter to the very end,” he said. “He will be sorely and forever missed.”

During the 2026 session, Brown authored several bills related to education, including one to require the State Board of Education to develop vocational and home economics curriculum for all middle, high, and alternative school students.

He also authored a measure to require the “full implementation” of physical education in all K-12 schools.

Ward Three Councilman Kenneth Stokes said Brown was an “outstanding man of God” who always put God first.

“He was a great councilman - easy to work with, easy to talk to. His saying was, ‘I’ll vote with Kenny Stokes 100% of the time if he’s right. But I’m not going to vote with him when he’s wrong.’”

Stokes says Brown’s support was critical in moving the Medgar Evers Homecoming Parade to Jackson, recalling a meeting between the two and Charles Evers, the brother of the late civil rights leaders.

“With the help of Bo Brown, and by him knowing Charles Evers a lot better than I knew Charles Evers,.. Charles agreed to move the Medgar Evers Homecoming to Jackson,” he said. “I have been doing that parade may, many years since that time.”

[READ: We The People: June 1, 1984]

In a statement on social media, Gov. Tate Reeves also commented on Brown’s passing, saying Brown was a “dedicated public servant who cared deeply about Jackson and worked hard to improve the lives of those he represented.”

“First Lady of Mississippi Elee Reeves and I are praying for his family during this difficult time.”

Jackson Mayor John Horhn said the city had lost a “dedicated public servant, and I have lost a friend.”

“Bo and I served together in the Mississippi Legislature, where I saw firsthand his consistent leadership, his love for Jackson, and his commitment to the people he represented. He brought the same spirit of service to his time on the Jackson City Council, always focused on making life better for our residents,” he wrote.

“On behalf of my family, I extend personal condolences to the Brown family. Bo was not only my colleague and friend, he was also a friend to my father and our family. Our friendship stretched across many years of public service and I’m grateful for the kindness Bo showed our entire family,” the mayor added.

Brown is survived by his wife of 54 years, Imelda Brown, and three daughters: Hinds County District 1 Election Commissioner Kidada Brown, Dawn Brown Thornton, head women’s basketball coach at Alabama A&M University, and Michelle Phillips.

Family members are asking for privacy and prayers during this time.

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