Tacoma Loses Pastor Earnest S. Brazill
Brazill died Friday night in a Tacoma nursing home, where he had lived since suffering a stroke in June.
Though small in stature, Brazill had a big heart for God and people, his admirers said, and was known as "Dad" to his fellow black ministers.
The Rev. Gregory Christopher, who succeeded Brazill as pastor at Shiloh Baptist, said the community lost a hero.
"He was literally the salvation for a lot of people in a time of need," said Christopher. "When the storm was breaking, they could count on Dad."
Born in Albany, Ga., Brazill graduated from seminary in Conroe, Texas. He moved to Bremerton where he served as pastor of Sinclair Baptist Church from 1950 to 1955, then moved to Shiloh Baptist in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood around Easter 1955.
About 250 people usually attend services at the church, which is affiliated with the National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc. and the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A.
Brazill helped improve conditions for black people in Tacoma, from opening up employment and housing in the 1950s to challenging police to improve their treatment of blacks in the 1990s.
He is survived by his widow, Lily V.; two children, Miller and Nathaniel, of Maple Valley; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held Sept. 11.