Woodrow Wilson Brand, Jr., 85, of Houston, passed peacefully at his home Thursday morning, Nov. 1, 2018, surrounded by his family and under the loving care of his wife of 62 years.

Born September 15, 1933, in Houston, MS, to Woodrow Wilson Brand, Sr. and Sarah Cornelia Smith, he dedicated his life to serving Christ and his community.  He began his service delivering milk and working as a grocery boy.  He graduated from Houston High School in 1951 and attended Mississippi State University, graduating in 1955.  He then continued his studies at the University of Mississippi School of Law, graduating in 1958 with a Juris Doctorate in Law.  Upon receiving his law degree, he returned home to Houston and practiced law with his father.  In 1961 he was elected mayor of Houston, making him the youngest serving mayor in Mississippi at age 28.  He served two terms from 1961 to 1970.  He then served as Chancellor of the 14 ^th Chancery District from 1970 to 1998.

He joined the Mississippi National Guard in 1955, serving with the 223 ^rd Engineers.  Later he transferred to JAG and served until 1986, retiring as a colonel with 31 years of total service.  He also served on the board of Community Bank of Mississippi and the Executive Council of the Pushmataha Area Boy Scouts.

Although a hard worker, Judge Brand also enjoyed many different hobbies.  An avid pilot, he loved flying his small plane, even flying to Yellowstone National Park.  A member of the Houston Golf Club, he spent many hours on the golf course with his friends and grandkids.  He loved being outdoors and enjoyed hunting with his son and grandsons and camping with his wife and friends.  He travelled the country with his wife in their motorhome, visiting most states including Alaska and Hawaii, but one of his favorite places to travel was Starkville, MS.  He was a faithful Bulldog fan his entire life and enjoyed attending football games in the fall.

He was a lifelong faithful member of First Baptist Church, Houston where he served as a deacon and sang in the choir.  He loved studying his Bible and sharing his wisdom with the Men's Sunday School class that he led.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty Gordon Brand; two children—Betsy Brand Hurst and her husband, Michael; Dr. Woodrow Wilson Brand, III and his wife, Mindy; four grandchildren—Katie Wolter Deakins and her husband, Kyle; Gus Gordon Brand and his wife, Hallie; Charles William Brand; Robert Lee Brand; and two great-grandsons--Jackson and Weston Deakins.  He is also survived by two sisters—Ann Brand Colbert and her husband, Thomas; Nancy Brand Montgomery; his first cousin  W.D. (Bill) Smith, III who was like a brother and his wife, Mary; his sister-in-law, Judy Castle Gordon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his niece, Christy Colbert Butler and nephew, Dean Montgomery; and two brothers-in-law, Jim Gordon and Donald Montgomery.

Arrangements for Judge Brand are as follows:  Visitation at First Baptist Church, Houston, Saturday, November 3, from noon to 2 p.m. with the funeral to follow, Brother Daniel Heeringa presiding.  Interment will be in Houston Cemetery with military honors.  Houston Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Pallbearers will be Michael Hurst, Gus Brand, Will Brand, Lee Brand, Patrick Gordon, and Tommy Colbert.  Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of First Baptist Church and the men of his Sunday School class.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Together We Grow—Houston First Baptist Church Building Fund, 201 W. Madison, Houston, MS, 38851; or First Friends Respite Center, P.O. Box 117, 1 ^st Ave & 3 ^rd Street, Amory, MS 38821.

Friends and family may leave a message at houstonfuneralhomems.com