Clarence B. Brown III

Clarence B. Brown III was born in Killeen, Texas, on December 12, 1968, to Clarence B. Brown, Jr. and Kay Elizabeth Wiggins Brown, both educators who broke barriers being among the first Black teachers in the Killeen Independent School District where they both taught for 39 and 34 years, respectively. Although Clarence was an only child, he was never alone, making friends easily and maintaining those friendships throughout his lifetime.

Clarence was a member of Marlboro Heights Missionary Baptist Church in Killeen for many years. There, he participated in the Youth Ministry. When Clarence landed in Dallas to begin his professional career, he joined St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Count Ministry and remained active until his passing.

Clarence graduated from C.E. Ellison High School in 1987. He received a scholarship to attend The University of Texas, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis on Marketing in 1991. At The University of Texas, Clarence received the David L. Fuhrman Leadership Award and was a Director of the Undergraduate Business Council. He continued his education at Emory University School of Law where he was a notes and comments editor of the International Law Review. He graduated from Emory Law in 1994. During his time at both The University of Texas and Emory Law, Clarence added groups of friends to his circle who would become integral to his personal and professional life.

The trend continued when Clarence joined Locke Purnell Rain Harrell as an associate in the corporate section, working long hours and making lifelong friendships. Most memorably, while at Locke Purnell, Clarence met the love of his life, Andrea MeShonn “Shonn” Evans. After three years of dating, the two united in holy matrimony on November 18, 2000. To their union, three beautiful children were born. Both Clarence and Shonn built a strong group of love and support that will continue to sustain the family.

Clarence enjoyed a lengthy in-house career, including providing legal counsel to technology and start-up companies, and he ultimately served as the General Counsel of Kronos Worldwide Inc. (NYSE: KRO). Clarence was a member of the State Bar of Texas; Dallas Bar Association; J.L. Turner Legal Association in which he served as former Corresponding Secretary; Association of Corporate Counsel; Minority Corporate Counsel Association; and Texas General Counsel Forum in which he served on the statewide Board of Directors, on the Dallas Chapter Board, and as Dallas Chapter President.

Clarence truly believed that education was a great equalizer and that enhancing opportunities for children of color, particularly Black children, would be the key to narrowing the achievement gap in our society. To that end, Clarence served on various boards, including Community Partners of Dallas, Readers 2 Leaders, and St. Philip’s School and Community Center. He also served on the Risk Management Committee for Parish Episcopal School. Clarence was a proud member of Sigma Pi Phi, Alpha Epsilon Chapter (Boulé) and the Fathers Auxiliary of the Dallas Chapter of Jack & Jill of America.

Though he was proud of his Killeen roots and consistently referenced the “great metropolis of Killeen,” Clarence loved to travel. Clarence explored many areas in Europe and, though Italy was his favorite destination, he described his trip to South Africa as a “trip of a lifetime.”

Clarence was preceded in death by his uncle, Curtis Wiggins.

Those left to cherish fond and lasting memories include his parents, Clarence and Kay of Killeen, Texas; his wife, Shonn, and their three children: Evan Clarence, Ryan Ella Marie, and Lily Elizabeth of Dallas, Texas; his aunts and uncles: Josiah Wiggins, Audrell Wiggins (Linda), Paul Wiggins (Theresa), Kenneth Wiggins, and Kathy Wiggins, all of Houston, Texas, and Renee Williams of Bay City, Texas; and a host of family and dear friends whom he regarded as his “framily” - all of whom will greatly miss his presence and running commentary on life and events. 

In lieu of flowers, consider honoring Clarence in one of the following ways:

1. Brown Family Fund
A fund has been set up for the long-term education, welfare, and expenses for Evan, Ryan and Lily. You may donate in one of the following ways:
a. Zelle @browniesfamilycbb3@gmail.com
b. Checks made payable to “Evan, Ryan, and Lily Brown” and mailed to:
Merrill Lynch c/o Mark Massey
1 Cowboys Way, Suite 400
Frisco, TX 75034
c. Wire: Instructions available upon request at browniesfamilycbb3@gmail.com
2. St Philip’s School & Community Center at https://www.stphilips1600.org/donate/
The form allows you to designate your donation “In Memory of Clarence B. Brown III”
3. Readers 2 Leaders: Visit their website at www.readers2leaders.org/support-us
Select either Donate Today or Support Our Capital Campaign. You may add “In Memory of Clarence B. Brown III” in the Comments section of the form.
4. Dallas Museum of Art: Annual Fund | Dallas Museum of Art (dma.org)
Please designate your donation “In Memory of Clarence B. Brown III”
5. The Lamplighter School https://www.thelamplighterschool.org/give/make-a-gift
Under Designation, please select “The Clarence B. Brown III Memorial Scholarship Fund”

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