Vernon Brazzle

Vernon Brazzle was born on October 21, 1940, in Holland, Texas to the late Jessie Edward Brazzle, Jr. and the late Irene Brazzle.  He is the eldest of four children.  He
attended Chapman School and was a 1958 graduate from Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon.

Even in Vernon’s formative years, he was a person of peace and exemplified the wisdom that is from above.  That which “…is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be
intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
– James 3:17-18, for he was a peacemaker.

An avid sportsman, Vernon had a love for basketball, football, and baseball.  He played sports throughout High School and displayed extraordinary talent in baseball.  This level of skill and dedication to the game landed him a sports scholarship to Clark Community College.  After two years, Vernon was extended the opportunity to play professionally.  Quite the opportunity, yet an opportunity he would make the very difficult choice of not pursuing.

Who in their right mind would pass up such an opportunity?  Life would surely unfold the “why” and speak to the fact that throughout his life, Vernon would become the man who was called forth to love and be dedicated to what was most important, his family.  He became the father figure to his baby sister and brothers, returning home to assist his mother in their care.

One of the sibling’s favorite pastimes together was singing.  Often Vernon would ask his younger sister and brothers to join in when he was rehearsing with the Montereys.  Vernon had quite the voice!  A voice that could book gigs, command your attention, and soon earn him the cool name of “Mr. Vern Vern.”

Though Vernon had a love for singing, he continued working diligently to assist in supporting the family.  He gained employment with the United States Postal Service in 1962, where he would remain employed until retirement.  Within those years of employment, Vernon would receive milestone Service Awards for 35 and 40 years of service to the American public.  After carrying mail in both Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington, on January 30, 2004, Vernon would receive his final Service Award for dedicated service during an honorable career of forty-two (42) years’ service to the Government of the United States!!!

During his tenure with the United States Postal Service, Vernon also served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America and was honorably discharged from the United States Army Reserve on Jul 22, 1969.  Vernon did many things while working for the U.S.P.S., including meeting a young man by the name of Adolph Wells. It was (Elder) Adolph Wells who eventually led Vernon to Christ.

Vernon’s acceptance of Christ truly gave him joy unspeakable and full of glory!!! It was a joy that didn’t go unnoticed as Vernon would walk the neighborhood delivering mail and singing unto the glory of God, bringing smiles to many, and uplifting their spirits.

Vernon became an active, faithful member of Emmanuel (Temple) Church.  He sang with the E.T. Brothers, led the Emmanuel (Temple) Church Choir, and served as the Director for the Full Gospel Pentecostal Psalmody Combined Choir.  Early on in his walk with the Lord, he served as the Sunday School Superintendent, a Deacon, was a member of the Trustee Board, and so much more.  His passion was street witnessing, where he would encounter many from all walks of life and lead them to Christ.  Even Vernon’s siblings gave their lives to Christ, became members of Emmanuel (Temple) Church, and this is where they became known as the dynamic Brazzle gospel singing group that sang praises unto the Lord throughout Pacific Northwest.

Vernon truly epitomized

WHATSOEVER YOUR HANDS FIND TO DO, DO IT WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT

By now it seemed that Vernon had already experienced a full life of blessings.  However, his life would not have been complete without the blessing of marriage, and the opportunity to love and be loved by his spouses and four children.

In 1968 Vernon married Mary Alice Murchinson-Brazzle.  She passed away on June 12, 1971, and to Vernon’s loving care remained a son and daughter, Rickey and Deborah Murchinson.

At Emmanuel (Temple) Church Vernon met a beautiful woman of God, Annie McKinney.  They united in Holy Matrimony on December 21, 1973.  To this union was birthed two beautiful daughters, Kristal and April Brazzle.  Together, Pastor Vernon and Pastor Annie ministered to many when they opened the doors of New Beginnings Faithway Bible Church, and later Living Water Deliverance Center.

“The Singing Mailman” received a special delivery on Friday, September 24, 2021, at 9:08 a.m.  The package would read “Pastor Vernon Brazzle, your heavenly Father is calling you to take your final route from this earthly life to life eternal” to join a great cloud of witnesses:  his father and mother:  Jessie Edward, Jr., and Irene Brazzle; brother: Denorval Brazzle; and sister:  Jacqueline Brazzle.

A legacy of love, humility, songs of praise, and a passion for souls is what Pastor Vernon Brazzle has left for us all to cherish.  Each loving memory will be shared throughout time among his wife:  Annie Brazzle; son: Rickey (April) Murchinson; daughters: Kristal Clark, April (Brian) Allen, and Deborah Murchinson; grandchildren: Kenadi, Ella, Chloe, Kacia, Kiara, Kenny, Jamelah, Brian, Marcus, Montrel and Brianna; siblings:  Jessie Brazzle, Jr., and Beverly Brazzle; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

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