John Henry Brown cheats death for the last time

One stubborn elderly man set in his ways

John Henry Brown was a reasonably healthy man who, at 87, was still driving although his family had been asking him to stop. He was stubborn, had cheated death many times, and refused to give up his driver's license. At 2:00 p.m. on March 28, he finished a delicious lunch with his son, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren at Cracker Barrel restaurant.

He knew they loved him but felt there were ulterior motives to remain in his favor so they would inherit his fortune. At 2:05, he excused himself and washed his hands in the restroom. Along the way, John Henry spoke to a few people he knew who remarked how well he looked for his age. One said he would live to be 100- a comment Brown detested.

Brown did not trust his family

He returned to the table at 2:09 and sarcastically expressed his gratitude to his family members, not letting on he did not really trust their motives. They dispersed to the parking lot, where they talked for a while. At 2:22, John Henry got in his vehicle to drive home, where he arrived at 2:38. he was a defiant older male who thought "I will show them all and live to 105 just for spite.

He went into the house, changed into casual clothing, sat down to read the newspaper, and then decided to watch television. Mr. Brown dozed off around 2:48 and began dreaming of his late wife, Grace Brown, who had passed away three years earlier. He missed her so much and wished they were still together.

Brown defies the spirit of his late spouse

In the dream, Grace looked younger than 80 years old when she passed, and there was a heavenly glow around her. She seemed to float toward him with a smile on her face and beckoned with her hands as if she wanted him to join her. She was so close, and he felt such peace and tranquility yet he fought reaching out and touching her hand.

Not even his beloved spouse was going to determine his expiration date. A smirk came upon his face as he shook his finger at her definatly. "Not now, Gracie heaven can wait " he snarled. "I demand more time go away." Tell death he will have to take another victim!" John Henry saw his wife instantly vanish and woke from the dream that had seemed more like a vision.

He felt proud that, yet again, he had stood up to death and won. Not even in the form of his spouse of 56 years would the Grim Reaper take him against his will. There was no remorse or repentance of his wicked ways.

Brown has no empathy for a young life lost

It was now 2:52, and John Henry Brown was angry that death continued to stalk him. He shook his fists and screamed at the top of his lungs. "Death, I know you can hear me." Go away and find someone else now!!! he bellowed. "Leave me the hell alone."

At 2:57, the call came that his 22-year-old grandson had just been killed instantly in a head-on collision heading home from lunch at Cracker Barrel. John Henry Brown realized death had obeyed his command and taken his young grandson in his place, but he did not feel guilty.

His arms were too short to box with God.

He ended the phone call and said to himself. "Damn fool was probably speeding," but I have cheated death again" as he gave a wicked cackle and then burst into full-blown laughter. "Nothing and no one will tell me when to die," not God or all the angels in heaven he yelled as his laughter turned to hysteria, and he danced around the room.

At that moment, the evil John Henry Brown laughed and screamed so loud he burst a blood vessel in his brain and instantly was gone. The last sight he saw was the clock on the wall announcing 3:00 p.m. This time he did not see his beloved Gracie but black shadows, smoke, and billowing flame surrounding him as his spirit descended deep into the bowels of the earth. He called out to the God he had defied but no answer came.