Alton was born October 5, 1975 in Tampa, Florida to Sylvester Brown, Sr. and Patricia Center Young. He was educated in the schools of Hillsborough County graduating from Tampa Bay Technical High School, class of 1994. He also attended and graduated from Edward Waters College and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Rev. Alton J. Center was the pastor of Mt. Olive AME Church, Plant City, Florida and also served New Bethlehem AMEC, McAlpine, Florida and St. Paul AMEC, Atlantic Beach, Florida. Alton was the youngest child of his mother and the youngest of his father. He inherited a rich legacy of faith, family, charter leadership and entrepreneurship. Alton along with his sister, Katrina shared an upbringing of both successful and difficult moments; however, with the guidance from their great grandmother, Mrs. Susie M. Padgett and the help of God the Father they were able to overcome. Alton entered the ministry in 2004 and had been a psalmist of the gospel ever since. He was known for his charismatic way of worship. Alton was preceded in death by; great grandmother, Susie M. Padgett; grandmothers, Bethule Lee Mae Center and Gertie Mae Brown; grandfather, William C. Center and aunt, Maureen Kay Center Lasing. He leaves to cherish his memories: mother, Patricia Center Young; father, Sylvester Brown, Sr. (Sandra); 9 sisters, Katrina Melody Center, Sheryll Green (Gerald), LaTonya Brown (Alex), Shawn Brown (Joe), Duprina Brown, Corlista Brown, Audrey Brown, Tiffany Brown (Robert) and Shay Brown (Stephanie); brother/cousin, Kevin Center; 3 brothers; Sylvester Brown, Michael Brown and Sylvester Brown, Jr.; special nephew, Isaiah Javon Center; 3 uncles, Rubin Eugene Padgett, Michael Lasing and Willie Brown; 6 aunts, Claudia Padgett, Mary Padgett, Patricia Brown, Tyree Padgett, Mary Louise Center Grant and Mae Francis Center Blocker; special friends, Betty Ruth King, Sandra King Mitchell, Rev. Cathy Fayson Johnson, Abdul Jalloh, Ibrahim Rogers, All the OPD from St. James & PV Youth & Young Adult Choir; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. The visitation will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2014 at Pleasant Chapel AME Church, 2615 E. Chipco Street, Tampa, Florida 33605 from 5 to 8 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. The friends are asked to meet on Saturday, July 5th at St. James AME Church for the service.

Homegoing Celebration for Pastor Alton Javon Center of Tampa who passed away on Friday, June 27, 2014, will be held on Saturday, July 5th, 11:00 a.m. at St. James AME Church, 5202 S. 86th Street, Rev. Michael B. Price, pastor with the Ret. Rev. Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr. Presiding Bishop, eulogist. Interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery.