Mother Mary Elizabeth Brown was born on September 19, 1922, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to the late Ruby Bland. She spent the majority of her life as a native of Prince Edward County, Virginia.

She was married to the late James Edward Brown, Sr. and four children were born to this union: Barbara Stanton (deceased), James Brown, Jr. (deceased), and is survived by Katherine Riley (Hilgrave- deceased) of Maryland and Carolyn Brown of South Carolina, and one daughter-in-law, Darlene Brown of Farmville, VA. She was a proud grandmother of twelve grandchildren, Larry Brown, Marie Stanton, Gary Stanton, Wanda Stanton, Curtis Stanton (deceased), James Stanton, Vernon Brown (deceased), Vincent Brown, Jerome Brown, Keith Brown, Faye Brown-Elliott, Sheila Brown; and a host of great, great-great, great-great-great grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephew, cousins, and friends.

Mrs. Brown was an active and dedicated member of Jericho Baptist Church, where she held the prestigious role of “Mother of the Church”. Prior to her health declining, she was a member of the JHT Combined Voices Choir, the Women’s Ministry, and “The Ladies Who Care” (who visited the sick and shut in). She was always willing to serve wherever there was a need, including dropping off a few requested sweet treats from time to time. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star.

Her favorite songs were “God’s Grace” by Luther Barnes, “Heaven” by Rance Allen, and Amazing Grace. Her favorite color was red, and her favorite food was “everything, especially sweets”. She loved to cook and bake all of her favorite sweets. Before her health declined, she loved to travel, plan and execute her cruises and bus excursions.

Mother Brown was blessed and shown favor from God, to reach the divine age of 102 and would have celebrated her 103rd birthday in September. Her big smile and kind words of wisdom that she bestowed upon everyone she encountered, during her daily calls, will be missed. She will indeed be missed.

She will be remembered as a great mother, grandmother, as well as an asset to her church and community.