Even before his retirement began, Joey Brown was getting advice on how to adapt to his time off.

The messages delivered to him at a farewell event carried the same theme: don’t answer the phone.

Brown is leaving his post as county administrator after 33 years. In all, he worked for the county for 43 years. Past and present county commissioners, county department heads, former co-workers and plenty of others from around the community gathered at a farewell event Thursday at the east end complex.

“Don’t answer the phone,” warned Liberty County Sheriff Will Bowman.

Brown’s former top right-hand man, retired assistant county administrator Bob Sprinkel, also issued his advice for the outgoing county administrator.

“Turn that daggum phone off,” Sprinkel said. “That phone will ring and you will want to answer it. There is more to life than work. It’s called family. It’s called going to the farm and enjoying yourself and enjoying life after putting in so much hard work for all those years. You deserve to enjoy it. Enjoy your time, because life is fleeting.”

Ann Purcell, a former state representative whose seat was next to Brown’s late father in the General Assembly, also commended the younger Brown on his years of service. Purcell has worked with Brown in her role as the State Transportation Board member for the 1st Congressional District.

“Joey, I am going to miss you in your retirement,” she said. “I want to congratulate you so much and family, you have a super guy.”

Todd Long, now the Georgia Division Lead for Atlas Technical Consultants, was once director of planning for the state Department of Transportation. He also was chief operating officer for Fulton County government.

“Nobody does it better, guys,” said Long, who co-sponsored the farewell event with his brother, county engineer Trent Long. “Liberty County has been blessed to have somebody like Joey for all these years.”

Kristin Fulford, deputy state director for Sen. Raphael Warnock, presented Brown with Warnock’s statements on Brown as part of the Congressional Record.

“For over three decades, he has served with dignity,” Sen. Warnock said. “Your dedicated effort helped bring to the county the MidCoast Regional Airport, the renovate community center, new public safety facilities and countless other projects to make Liberty County a better and safer place to live.

“You will always have a champion in me. Keep the faith.”

Brown also was presented with a House resolution in his honor brought to the state House floor by state Reps. Al Williams, Buddy Deloach and Chas Cannon. Cannon, who is from Moultrie and whose district includes Colquitt County, Cook County and part of Thomas County, is a former Colquitt County administrator.

The resolution, presented by Deloach’s wife Linda, commended Brown for his oversight and involvement in a number of projects during his tenure, including the MidCoast Regional Airport, the new Justice Center, the Hinesville branch of the Live Oak Public Library, the East End complex, the renovation of the historic courthouse, a new public works facility and the under- construction health department.

The county also has added a number of recreation facilities in his 33 years as county administrator, including the James Brown Park, Gill Park, a new recreation department headquarters, the Charles Shuman Center and the Samuel B. Harris Gymnasium.

Brown also worked to establish the first integrated 911 system in the county and under his watch, the county has established a full-time fire department. It also now operates the EMS.

“Brown has served the residents of Liberty County with honor and distinction, and his vision and unyielding commitment to excellence will be sorely missed upon the occasion of his retirement,” the resolution stated. Brown also drew praise, and some good-natured ribbing, from current and former administrators and the department heads who served under him.

Commissioner Marion Stevens recalled meeting Brown as the county started to put a 911 service into action. Later, Stevens was elected to the board of commissioners and while there were times of disagreement, Stevens said “at the end of the day, we were on the same page of music to serve the people of Liberty County.”

Stevens also noted one of Brown’s unseen tasks in shepherding the commissioners.

“He kept us on track,” Stevens said. “Maybe he should not have been an administrator but a lawyer.”

Former commissioner Linda Graham remarked how difficult the commission could be.

“He was very patient with us. We were a pretty rowdy bunch,” she said. “We gave him some hard times. He is truly a servant of God.”

Current Commissioner Justin Frasier also served a reminder of how long — 43 years — Brown worked in county government.

“Where was I 43 years ago? I realized, I was just born,” he said.

Frasier also recalled what his father, the late Charles Frasier, told him one day.

“A wise man, my father, once said, if I knew retirement was this good, I would have done it a long time ago,” he said. “You are going to be missed.”

Former commission chairman John McIver lauded Brown for his efforts on making the East End complex a reality, along with several other projects the two worked on during McIver’s time as chairman.

“This project here, the East End Complex, was a complex project. But you made it happen,” McIver said. “Many of you have heard of James Brown — the hardest-working man in show business. Well, Mr. Brown, I would describe you as the hardest- working man in government. I don’t know of anyone who is more dedicated and committed to the job you have done for this county.”

Former Hinesville mayor Allen Brown, who is related to Joey Brown, and current Hinesville Mayor Karl Riles praised the retiring Brown for his longevity and in fostering collaboration between the county and the cities.

“He’s surely the smartest of the Browns who got involved in politics,” said Allen Brown, whose father also was once Hinesville mayor.

“Our peers all remark about how well our city and county work together,” Riles said. “It’s refreshing to have that ability to call around the corner and get positive answers. That is a legacy created by having these lifetime public servants.”

Riles added he remembered Joey Brown coaching in the recreation department when he was a youngster coming through the youth sports ranks. Riles coaches two teams at the LCRD and said Brown showed him how important is to be present for the next generation and to coach them.

“I will carry that forward,” the mayor said. “Thank you for your legacy.”

Current LCRD director Raymond Gross also thanked Brown for the opportunity to come back home when it was time for him to leave the college football coaching ranks.

Sprinkel also had words of advice for Joseph Mosley, who will succeed Brown as county administrator.

“And Joseph, my friend, those shoes are not big enough,” he said. “I wish the best for you too. But you’ve got a good bunch of commissioners to work with and an outstanding group of employees and department heads.”

McIver also had some final words advice for Brown and his wife Kim.

“Take some time, take a cruise,” he said. “Don’t keep him in the woods hunting deer.”

Brown asked for the community to support Mosley in his new role.

“He is truly a man of God,” Brown added. “He has a heart as big as any I’ve ever seen.”

Brown said he also will be a phone call away if help is needed.

“You don’t become a public servant for gratitude. You don’t do it for money,” he said. “You do it because you love people. The county is really blessed. If you’re in public service and you have a wife, praise her. She is your sounding board.

“I love y’all,” Brown said in his closing remarks. “I will always, always, always be there for you, whatever you need me to do.”