Rodney James Brown, 68

Rodney James Brown, 68 of Lakeland Florida left his earthly home to join his wife in Heaven on August 25, 2022. Rodney was a former resident of Merritt Island Florida and Nitro West Virginia. Rodney was born on April 6, 1954 in Charleston, WV.

After graduating from Nitro High School in 1972, Rodney proudly served his country in the US Airforce as a Medical Material Specialist. Rodney returned to West Virginia and worked as paramedic before relocating to Easley, SC then Florida where he began a career with Kennedy Space Center and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration where he worked for 30 years. He began at KCS as a Quality Assurance Specialist before moving on the Environmental Office working with the US Airforce Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit. Rodney earned a Certificate of Commendation in 2013 for exemplary performance and retired in 2018.

Rodney was preceded in death by the love of his life Jean Eiland-Brown and was never the same as his heart was broken. We rejoice that they are reunited, happy and pain free. Rodney was also preceded in death by his stepfather, Joe Brown, brother J Scott Brown, and his father Jack Boggess.

Left to cherish his memory are his mother Fannie L Brown of Titusville, FL, stepdaughter Stephanie Millsap (Dillon) and stepgranddaughter Shannon Raine Millsap of Lakeland, Aunt Sara Turley of Cross Lanes, WV, cousins Jim Henson (Vicki) of Midlothian, VA, and Rhonda Elliott (Chuck) of Daniels, WV.

Graveside services will be held at Serenity Gardens on Thursday, September 1 2022 at 1 p.m. with the Pastor Jeremy Coppock officiating. Those attending are asked to go directly to the cemetery, parking is available throughout.

*Please be advised that the graveside service will offer limited seating for family only, and there will be limited shade. Attendees will be standing for the duration of the service and are encouraged to bring water and/or an umbrella for shade. Please be cautious of possible weather conditions such as very high heat index and/or rain. Condolences may be sent to the family at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes.