Ernest Brown Jr.

Ernest Brown Jr.

Ernest Arnell Brown, Jr., known to Grand Hotel patrons as Rap for more than 35 years, passed away Friday, December 21, 2007, in his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. He was 56.

Mr. Brown was born February 7, 1951 in Ludowici, Georgia, and was graduated from William M. Raines High School in Jacksonville in 1970. That same year, he joined the staff at Grand Hotel as a waiter under matre d' hotel Clifford Crutcher and later worked under matre d' hotel Kenneth Salmon, advancing to dining room captain.

He was enticed to the hotel by good friend and mentor Charlie Williams, who he called his uncle.

Mr. Brown left the hotel for a few years, returning in 1993 to work as a waiter at Grand Hotel's new restaurant at Stonecliffe, Woods, under John Hulett, the restaurant's manager. After Mr. Hulett was promoted to general manager of the hotel, Mr. Brown became assistant manager at Woods, a position he held until his death.

"He'll be sorely missed," said Mr. Hulett. "He was a good friend to a lot of people on Mackinac Island and even a better friend to those of us who worked with him on a daily basis at Grand Hotel."

For the past several summers, Mr. Brown also greeted guests during the lunch hour at the hotel's Gate House restaurant, where he helped instruct the staff.

"They needed his expertise," Mr. Hulett said.

During winters, Mr. Brown worked as a waiter for a number of years at the Ocean Reef Resort in Key Largo.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Johnnie Mae Frasier- Brown; his grandparents, Felton and Frances Brown; two aunts, Thelma Lumpkins and Ernestine Brown; two uncles, Don Robert Brown and James R. Brown; a nephew, Joseph Brown, and a cousin, Linda Brown.

He is survived by his wife, Duel, and their six children, Hope, Harlon, Jorge, Andre Robinson, Strickland Davis, and Cheyenne, all of Florida; two brothers, Victor and Ronald; four sisters, Frances, Linda, Janette, and Diedra Alexander, and two grandchildren, Dishari and Harlon Jr.

He also is survived by his father and stepmother, Ernest and Beverly Brown; four aunts, Dorethaa Turner, Margaret Strickland, Wanda Brown, and Rudyne Brown, and three uncles, Felton Brown, Lester Turner, and Willie Lumpkins.

Services were held Friday, December 28, at 11 a.m. at the Philippian Community Church in Jacksonville with Bishop Virgil C. Jones presiding.

Interment was at Beaches Memorial Park, Atlantic Beach.

Arrangements were handled by First Coast Funeral Home of Jacksonville.

Cards can be sent to Mrs. Brown and the family at 5800 University Boulevard, South, Apartment 321, Jacksonville, Florida 32216.