MICHIGAN

Father and son died from COVID-19 three days apart, laid to rest together

Todd McInturf
The Detroit News
Following the wishes of wife and mother Sandy Brown (not pictured), funeral home owner Melissa Butts sprays Freddie Lee Brown Jr. ' s casket with the cologne Aramis, Brown Jr. ' s favorite. Butts also sprayed Freddie Lee Brown III ' s casket with his favorite fragrance, Guilty by Gucci. The father and son died three days apart from COVID-19 and are laid to rest together on Friday, April 10, 2020.
Following the wishes of wife and mother Sandy Brown (not pictured), funeral home owner Melissa Butts sprays Freddie Lee Brown Jr.'s casket with the cologne Aramis, Brown Jr.'s favorite. Butts also sprayed Freddie Lee Brown III's casket with his favorite fragrance, Guilty by Gucci. The father and son died three days apart from COVID-19 and are laid to rest together on Friday, April 10, 2020.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Niece and cousin Loise Richardson, left, of Detroit, comforts Sandy Brown, of Grand Blanc, before they enter the funeral home to pay respects to Brown ' s husband and son.
Niece and cousin Loise Richardson, left, of Detroit, comforts Sandy Brown, of Grand Blanc, before they enter the funeral home to pay respects to Brown's husband and son.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Freddie Lee Brown Jr. was an elder at Jackson Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ in Flint.
Freddie Lee Brown Jr. was an elder at Jackson Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ in Flint.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
A Michigan State University block " S " and his Grand Blanc High School No. 97 are seen on the casket lid of Freddie Lee Brown III. According to family members, Brown III dreamed of playing football at MSU as a walk-on with hopes of someday playing in the NFL.
A Michigan State University block "S" and his Grand Blanc High School No.  97 are seen on the casket lid of Freddie Lee Brown III. According to family members, Brown III dreamed of playing football at MSU as a walk-on with hopes of someday playing in the NFL.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Sandy Brown cries as she pays respects to her son, Freddie Lee Brown III, who dreamed of playing football at MSU this fall as a walk-on.
Sandy Brown cries as she pays respects to her son, Freddie Lee Brown III, who dreamed of playing football at MSU this fall as a walk-on.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Sandy Brown cries between paying respects to her son and her husband.
Sandy Brown cries between paying respects to her son and her husband.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Sandy Brown touches the forehead of her late husband, Freddie Lee Brown Jr., after she cries over the casket of her late son, Freddie Lee Brown III, right. Both died of COVID-19 three days apart.
Sandy Brown touches the forehead of her late husband, Freddie Lee Brown Jr., after she cries over the casket of her late son, Freddie Lee Brown III, right. Both died of COVID-19 three days apart.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Jackson Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ Pastor Kiemba Knowlin, and his daughters, Nehderi Knowlin, 16, center, and Zhenya Knowlin, 12, all of New Baltimore, enter the funeral home to pay their respects as other invited guests wait in their cars for their turn, on Firday, April 10, 2020.
Jackson Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ Pastor Kiemba Knowlin, and his daughters, Nehderi Knowlin, 16, center, and Zhenya Knowlin, 12, all of New Baltimore, enter the funeral home to pay their respects as other invited guests wait in their cars for their turn, on Firday, April 10, 2020.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Kiemba Knowlin, left, comforts his daughter, Nehderi Knowlin.
Kiemba Knowlin, left, comforts his daughter, Nehderi Knowlin.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Tonya Brown, center, and her children, Rochelle Pompey, and Ronnie Pompey, Jr., all of Flint, cry as they leave the funeral home. Brown is sister to Brown Jr. and aunt to Brown III.
Tonya Brown, center, and her children, Rochelle Pompey, and Ronnie Pompey, Jr., all of Flint, cry as they leave the funeral home. Brown is sister to Brown Jr. and aunt to Brown III.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Shayla Hamilton, left, of Grand Blanc, wails as Jackson Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ Pastor Kiemba Knowlin hands her a face mask before she enters the funeral home. She is niece to Brown Jr. and cousin of Brown III.
Shayla Hamilton, left, of Grand Blanc, wails as Jackson Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ Pastor Kiemba Knowlin hands her a face mask before she enters the funeral home. She is niece to Brown Jr. and cousin of Brown III.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Pallbearers prepare to bring out the caskets of Freddie Lee Brown Jr., left, and his son, Freddie Lee Brown III, for the graveside service that was conducted in the funeral home parking lot instead of the cemetery to adhere to social distancing guidelines recommended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pallbearers prepare to bring out the caskets of Freddie Lee Brown Jr., left, and his son, Freddie Lee Brown III, for the graveside service that was conducted in the funeral home parking lot instead of the cemetery to adhere to social distancing guidelines recommended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Jackson Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ Pastor Kiemba Knowlin, second from left, conducts the graveside service in the funeral home parking lot instead of the cemetery due to adhere to social distancing guidelines recommended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jackson Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ Pastor Kiemba Knowlin, second from left, conducts the graveside service in the funeral home parking lot instead of the cemetery due to adhere to social distancing guidelines recommended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Invited loved ones remain in their vehicles or stand by them during the grave side service that is conducted in the funeral home parking lot instead of the cemetery due to COVID-19.
Invited loved ones remain in their vehicles or stand by them during the grave side service that is conducted in the funeral home parking lot instead of the cemetery due to COVID-19.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Sunset Hills River Rest Cemetery grounds keepers carry the casket of Freddie Lee Brown Jr. to his grave as family members and loved ones watch from their vehicles to adhere to social distancing guidelines to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
Sunset Hills River Rest Cemetery grounds keepers carry the casket of Freddie Lee Brown Jr. to his grave as family members and loved ones watch from their vehicles to adhere to social distancing guidelines to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Sunset Hills River Rest Cemetery grounds keepers carry the casket of Freddie Lee Brown Jr. to his grave as family members and loved ones watch from their vehicles to adhere to social distancing guidelines to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
Sunset Hills River Rest Cemetery grounds keepers carry the casket of Freddie Lee Brown Jr. to his grave as family members and loved ones watch from their vehicles to adhere to social distancing guidelines to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
A Sunset Hills River Rest Cemetery grounds keeper rakes the gravesite of Freddie Lee Brown III and his father Freddie Lee Brown Jr. as mother/wife Sandy Brown arrives. Nobody was allowed at the gravesite until both casket vaults were covered with dirt to help prevent further spread of COVID-19.
A Sunset Hills River Rest Cemetery grounds keeper rakes the gravesite of Freddie Lee Brown III and his father Freddie Lee Brown Jr. as mother/wife Sandy Brown arrives. Nobody was allowed at the gravesite until both casket vaults were covered with dirt to help prevent further spread of COVID-19.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Sandy Brown waves over close friends and family members to the gravesite as others pay respects from their vehicles.
Sandy Brown waves over close friends and family members to the gravesite as others pay respects from their vehicles.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Loved ones pay respects from their vehicles at they pass the gravesites of Freddie Lee Brown Jr. and Freddie Lee Brown III.
Loved ones pay respects from their vehicles at they pass the gravesites of Freddie Lee Brown Jr. and Freddie Lee Brown III.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Sandy Brown bends over to pick up a rock from the gravesite of her son, Freddie Lee Brown III, and her husband, Freddie Lee Brown Jr., whie others pay respects from their vehicle.
Sandy Brown bends over to pick up a rock from the gravesite of her son, Freddie Lee Brown III, and her husband, Freddie Lee Brown Jr., whie others pay respects from their vehicle.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News