Loved ones remember Three Layers Cafe employee who was fatally shot

The Jacksonville community is grieving the loss of a 22-year-old Springfield man.

Family, church members and co-workers gathered at Three Layers Café Thursday night to celebrate the life of Jerry Brown.

Brown was killed in an overnight drive-by shooting near his aunt’s house in Grand Park.

Brown worked at Three Layers Café. Chevie Green, the owner of the café and Brown’s cousin, said Brown was supposed to work Thursday, but instead, flowers lined the front door to remember him.

Green said Brown made an impression on many just by serving coffee.

“One lady spoke of coming in one morning and the music wasn't on, and he was just singing,” Green said. “He didn't know she was standing there and she was like, ‘No, no, don't turn on the music, just continue to sing.’”

Brown was the lead singer in his church choir. Green shared a video with Action News Jax that shows just how much of a gift he had.

“One of his songs right now is up to more than 32,000 views; you know how bad he wanted that -- that's his dream,” Green said.

Green said Brown’s grandmother recently passed away, so he would spend several evenings here.

“She kind of took over, made sure she cooked and talked to him, and just kind of took him under her wing,” Green said.

That aunt, Patricia Green, was the one who found Brown after he was shot in her driveway. She said he was a man of God and would do anything for anyone.

“He had a smile on his face … he had a beautiful smile on his face,” Patricia Green said. “He is up there with his granny now, his real granny. I told him, 'Make room, we all on our way.'”

Feb. 16 would've been Brown's 23rd birthday. Instead of celebrating it with him, friends and family celebrated his life Thursday at Three Layers Café.

Cox Media Group