Florence Brown (Jones)

Florence Jones Brown was born March 24,1939, and transitioned from Earth to eternity to be with the Lord on the morning of November 1, 2017, at the age of 78. She is the fifth of six children born to Rev. Frederick Glenwood Jones and Hattie Graham Jones, both of Fruitland, Maryland. She received her secondary education in the public schools of Wicomico and Kent Counties, earning her High School Diploma and graduating from Henry Highland Garnet in the Spring of 1957. During the Fall of 1957, Florence enrolled in the institution of higher learning, Bowie State University formerly Bowie State Teachers College, to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. While attending high school and college, as an outstanding athlete, Florence was a first string basketball player. On the 12th of October, on Columbus Day in that same year, she was united in holy matrimony to the love of her life, Robert Nathaniel Brown, Sr. One of the many blessings they shared was the gift of their only child, Robert “Bobby” Nathaniel Brown, Jr. Florence remained a loving devoted wife and mother to the end. Florence graduated from Bowie State in the Spring of 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She was employed by the Queen Anne’s County Public School System for thirty-two years, teaching at Kennard and Centreville Elementary Schools. As an educator, Florence was highly respected by her colleagues and students having earned the reputation of having a strong work ethic and consistent just code of discipline. Florence developed a close relationship with God through her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ early in life and loved serving as a Christian. She gave her best to the Master in all things requiring decency, order, and excellence. At Bethel AME Church, Chestertown, Florence served as a dedicated member of the Senior Usher Board, Lay Organization, Missionary Board and Culinary Arts Ministry. She was the Secretary of the Lay Organization and extremely active on the Local, District and Annual Conference levels of the Missionary Society. Florence was very passionate about cooking and served as chair of the Culinary Arts Ministry until her transition. She shared her cooking skills with those in the church as well as her family. Florence was a very private person who loved unconditionally, especially her family, and helped them in any way she could. She had a unique relationship with each of them, but was no respecter of persons and treated them all the same. Florence will be greatly missed, especially at family gatherings during holidays, church services and events. Each year she looked forward to organizing and chairing Bethel's Annual Fall and Spring Turkey and Ham Dinners. She had a sarcastic sense of humor with those she had a close relationship with. Some of her signature dishes were fried chicken, oven baked chicken, fried oysters, crab cakes, turkey salad, macaroni and cheese, oven baked sweet potatoes, potato salad, sweet potato pie and spice cake. Family members that preceded Florence in transitioning are her father, Presiding Elder Frederick G. Jones, Sr.; mother, Hattie Graham Jones; brothers, Rev. Frederick W. Jones, Jr. and Harold Jones, Sr.; and daughter-in-law, Myra Michelle Burris Brown. Her legacy will continue and live on through her husband of sixty years, Robert Brown, Sr.; son, Rev. Robert “Bobby” Brown, Jr.; grandson, Tyler Brown, Sr. (Terwana); granddaughter, LaKisha Brooks (Dante); grandsons, Larry and Troy Rush; great grandsons, Tyler “Tee” Brown, Jr., Isaiah Brooks and Nathaniel “Nate” Brooks; great-great grandson, Shy'Heem Brown; God grandson, Kevin Warner (Vanessa); sisters, Catherine Cephas (Alan), Frances “Chee” Tolliver, Ina “Tippy” Upshur; brothers-in-law, David Brown (Barbara), Gregory and Larry Brown; sisters-in-law, Rev. Denise Jones, Vonceal Steward, Yvonne and Harriet Brown; a special lifelong best friend, Shirley Hamilton; her Bethel Church Family; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and neighbors. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Florence Brown (Jones), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Florence Brown (Jones)

March 24, 1939 - November 1, 2017