Joe Clifton Brown Jr.

~Early Life~

Joe Clifton Brown, Jr. affectionally known as Jr, Junebug, Fatboy, Big Joe, Daddy, Uncle Joe, Biscuit, and Friend, entered this world weighing a whopping 9 pounds 11 ounces on November 15, 1970 to the parents of Joe Clifton Brown, Sr. and Lela Mae Brown in Marks MS. He was welcome by his older sisters exactly 10 months, 15 days after his Irish Twin, Vette and on his sister Joanne’s birthday. Being the youngest and only male child and sibling, Big Joe was spoiled rotten by everybody!!! He lost his mother at the tender age of 2 years old.

~It Takes a Village~

The old African Proverb “It takes a Village” is the epitome truth for Big Joe. After the death of his mother, his father, with the help of his grandmother and sisters, continued to raise and care for him. Big Joe was a hand full. Point blank, he was just bad. While in Marks, he attended Westside Elementary School. In 1981, Big Joe and his Irish Twin, Vette moved to Milwaukee, WI to live with his oldest sister, Barbara and her daughter Perkeeta. In 1983, Barbara and crew moved to Fairfield, California to help care for their grandmother. Big Joe was showered with love by his grandmother, Samantha Adams and his aunt and uncle, Lula and James Robinson. He attended Grange Elementary and Fairfield High School. In 1986, he and Vette moved back to Milwaukee to live with his sister, Lora. Again he was surround by people that loved and cared for him. His Uncle Curly and Aunt Sammie Adams showered him with affection and patience. He attended James Madison High School. In 1991, Big Joe ventured to Huntsville, AL with his birthday twin, Joanne. There he worked two jobs while studying for his GED. Big Joe was always a naturally smart and intelligent person, He was able to complete studying and received his GED in less than 3 months. He was so proud of himself (and so was his village). Big Joe moved back to Milwaukee in the early 1990s.

~Family is Everything~

Big Joe loved his family and they loved him back. He was always the protector and never failed to let whomever know not to mess with his sisters. However, in 1995, his sisters had to step aside and give up the reign to for his first born, a daughter – Kellesha Suzanne Gray. There was no denying because she looked just like his sisters. In 1998, he welcomed Mr. Joe Clifton Brown, III. Big Joe literally spit Trae out. In 2006, Big Joe met his life partner/soul mate, Tressa Michele Stanton. And in 2008, Joseph Charles Brown made his appearance. Big Joe was a dotting and loving father to all his children. He provided and cared for them. He taught them life lesson- like always look a man in his eye and family always comes first.

The same love that Big Joe bestowed upon his children, he shared with his entire family. He always instilled in them “the rules of the game”. He especially had a special bond with his nephew, Jonathon Brown (Fatboy number two). Then there was Samantha, his niece and god daughter. We can’t really describe that relationship. Biscuit loved him some Samantha.

~Friendship is Essential to the Soul~

During his lifetime, Big Joe encounter many people. As a young man, while living in California, he grew up with 4 young men that he considered friends for life, Toriano Jordan, Andre Lang, Christopher Cain and Terry Graves. Upon returning to Milwaukee, Big Joe met a group of friends that eventually became his brothers – The Ghetto Boys. As brothers always do, they looked out for and took care of each other. For more than 30 years, Biscuit, Pooh, JV, Dizzy, Frank Niddy, Buck, Nuke, Dolo Red and Al were always there for each other.

Big Joe was a mentor, father figure and inspiration to so many. He was always there to uplift encourage, and support. He shared his love, talents and knowledge with everyone. He was truly a natural born leader.

~FatBoys Ice Cream and Things~

Big Joe was a true entrepreneur. His first business was “The Movie Man DVDs”. Big Joe was the first to start the home delivery of DVDs in Milwaukee. He was the Uber of DVDs. Other than his family, his pride and joy was FatBoys Ice Cream and Things. Big Joe had a dream and he made it happen. In 2008, what started with a two page business plan and a small minivan, grew into a fleet of ice cream trucks. Big Joe handled business and nobody could manage them ice cream trucks like him. And nobody could tell him how either. He used the ice cream trucks to also give back to the community. He did annual bookbag drives for the communities that supported his business and the kids that always welcomed the ice cream trucks to the neighborhood.

~Time to go Home~

After a lengthy battle with heart failure, God said “Big Joe it’s time to come home”. Big Joe fought with everything in him to live. He never gave up. He departed this natural life on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. The same way he came into this world, he left – with a bang. Big Joe made sure that he would neve be forgotten. He was born on his sister Joanne’s birthday and he went to heaven on his sister Vette’s birthday.

Big Joe leaves the gifts of love, laughter and happiness to his children; Kellesha Suzanne Gray (her husband Francis), Joe Brown III and Joseph Charles Brown; his life partner and soul mate, Tressa Michele Stanton; sisters; Barbara Adams Haynes, Lora Brown Pryor (and her husband Steve), Joanne Brown Lewis (and her husband Clayton), Elaine Lyvette Brown (and her husband Douglas), Perkeeta Williams (and her husband Eugene); Sallie Mae Denson, Keenika Shegog, Crystal Williams Davis (and her husband Gavie), and Gwendolyn Adams; his brother Kendrell Lamont Shegog. He also leaves to miss his presence his bonus children; Kyana Stanton, Tyana Stanton, Dealonte’ Ragsdale, Deamonte’ Ragsdale, Tatitana Tate, Antione Tate, Daysha Brown, and Kellesia Gray; one aunt, Mrs. Lena Campbell and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Big Joe is preceded in death by his Parents, Joe Clifton and Lela Mae Brown; his grandmother, Samantha Adams; his grandfather, Columbus Brown and his sister Lottie Denson.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Krause Funeral Home, 9000 West Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. A Service will begin at 12:00 PM.

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