Norton L Brown

Norton Lavall Brown also known as “Kingfish” was born December 5, 1956, in Greenwood, Mississippi to Mary G. Smith. Norton was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clarence and Alberta Brown; his mother, Mary G Smith; aunts, Christine Brown, and Lela (Granny) Thomas; uncles, Clarence Brown Jr., J.T. Brown, and Sentwali Aiyetoro; and nephew, Isaiah D. Abraham-Brown.

Norton was born in Greenwood, Mississippi and moved to Kansas City, Missouri with his family in 1960 to 36th and Olive. He attended R. J. Delano, elementary, middle, and high school for Orthopedically Handicapped in the Kansas City MO school district. Norton worked as a behavior monitor at The Kansas City Regional Diagnostic Center from 1978 to 1980 until graduating from high school in 1980. He went on to college and received his Associates in Arts degree at Penn Valley Community College in May of 1984. Norton studied at Columbia University for a year but transferred back to Kansas City and studied at UMKC and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in May of 1989. The only special accommodations he received was a reader-writer in the library for his tests which was provided by the Handicapped student office.

Norton never allowed his disability to stop him from living a full “normal” life. He loved all sports, his movies, and had an ear for good music. If you knew Norton you would know the music that lived in him, you could hear him singing from a mile away even though he could not sing.

Norton departed this earth on Sunday, August 28, 2022, surrounded by family. He was one of the strongest men you would ever know and beat all the odds against him. Norton was loved by many, made many of us laugh with his jokes, and would tell you about yourself in a heartbeat.

He leaves to cherish his memories his brothers, Irvin M. and Kenneth C. Brown; aunt, Rubbie Brown; nephew, Daneil Swinney (Chantel); nieces, Shalise L. Lewis and Milan Brown; great-niece, Avona M. Cole; great-nephew, Solomon J. Nichols; and favorite cousin, Jackie Brown; along with a host of cousins, and friends.