April 18, 1950 – Dec. 4, 2019

VIDALIA— Services for Rickie Dale Brown, 69, of Vidalia, who died Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, at Riverland Medical Center, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Young’s Funeral Home Vidalia Chapel with the Rev. Whest Shirley officiating.
Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Mr. Brown was born April 18, 1950, in Lubbock, Texas, the son of Walter E. Brown Sr. and Christine Whitaker Brown.
Rick received his undergraduate degree in education from Belhaven University and his master’s in administration from University of Louisiana Monroe. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Rick spent his career as a coach and teacher in St. Joseph, Lake Providence, Monterey, Ferriday and Vidalia — most notably as principal for 17 years at his beloved Vidalia High School. After retirement, Rick continued influencing lives through his work as an education counselor at Concordia Parish Correctional Center. As principal, “Mr. Brown” liked to show a stern façade, but behind that was a truly soft-hearted man who wanted his students and faculty to succeed. Rick’s greatest joy as a professional was seeing his students, past and present, achieve their goals and obtain happiness in their lives.
Rickie was also a cherished member of our family as a husband, brother, son-in-law, brother-in-law and uncle. We will always remember his countless acts of selflessness, his quiet words of wisdom and advice that always rang true, and of course, his great sense of humor and those classic, perfectly timed one-liners he always delivered at family get-togethers. His memory and spirit will live with us forever.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew.
Survivors include his wife, Ruthie Brown; mother-in-law, Faye LaSyone of Vidalia; two brothers, Bud Brown and wife, Debra, of Canton, and Chris Brown and Michele, of Tullahoma, Tennessee; one sister, Barbara O’Haver and husband, James, of Seligman, Missouri; two brothers-in-law, Ed LaSyone and wife, Erin, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, and Jay LaSyone of Vidalia; seven nieces, Aubrie LaSyone, Abbie Temple and Josh, Wendy Saroz, Brandi Chancellor and Justin, Laura Brown, Jennifer Jones and Megan Ferrell; and four nephews, Landon LaSyone, Lukas LaSyone, Benji Brown and Lauren, Brian Brown and Hayes Temple.
He is also survived by his precious cat, “Baby.”
Pallbearers will be Dee Faircloth, Tim Herndon, Britt Keahey, Marshall Bankston, Mike Roboski and Dave Williams.
Honorary pallbearer will be Roy Rushing.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at youngsfh.com.