Mississippi Rep. Bo Brown, remembered for a long career in public service, dies at 81

Rep. William R. “Bo” Brown, a Democratic state lawmaker from Jackson who was known for his long and wide-ranging career in public service, died on Monday, multiple state officials confirmed.

According to Hinds County Coroner Jeramiah Howard, Brown, 81, died after a lengthy illness. Brown is survived by his wife, Imelda Brown, a daughter and other family members. Fellow state officials remembered him as a stable leader who sought to find common ground.

De’Keither Stamps, a member of the Mississippi Public Service Commission and former state representative, said Brown “represented a style of leadership that is becoming increasingly rare.”

“He was a steady and respected voice whose influence came from wisdom, not volume,” Stamps said. “He never needed to be the loudest person in the room to make an impact. Instead, he led through character, experience, humility and a genuine commitment to serving others. Bo was the kind of leader who commanded respect without demanding attention, and that is one of the many reasons he will be remembered and missed by so many.”

Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican, said Brown was a “dedicated public servant who cared deeply about Jackson and worked hard to improve the lives of those he represented.”

Brown earned a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University, a master’s degree from Jackson State University and a postgraduate certification from Santa Clara University in California, according to his legislative biography.

His long career in public service included working as a public school teacher and coach in Jackson to working for the federal government. He served in a public relations role at the U.S. Department of Justice and between 1972 and 1983, he worked as a program manager for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Brown then worked as a radio broadcaster, an insurance broker and as a Jackson City Council member, an office he held from 1997 to 2005. He was elected to the state House in 2019, serving on committees including Judiciary B, Medicaid and Transportation.

In 2024, he co-authored a bill that would have required the Department of Public Safety to create and maintain a database of officer misconduct incidents. It did not survive in the Republican-dominated Legislature. He also advocated for improvements to Jackson’s troubled water system.

State Rep. Kabir Karriem, chairman of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, said Brown “leaves behind a legacy of service that will not be forgotten.”

“May we honor his life by continuing the work of building stronger communities and serving others with the same dedication he demonstrated throughout his life,” Karriem said.