Page 7 - Florida Sentinel 8-25-17

Local
Popular Church Elder Dies Suddenly
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Popular Tampa mother and church elder passed suddenly last Friday. Elder Mary Helen Brown was 74-years-old.
According to her daugh- ter, Ms. Cassandra Brown, Elder Brown was discovered unresponsive and was transported to a local hospital where she died.
A native of Calhoun County, Georgia, Elder Brown attended the public schools of that county. While attending Singleton High School, she was a member of the track and basketball teams. She grad- uated with honors.
After reaching adult- hood, Elder Brown met her husband, Joseph Brown, Jr., and they moved to Tampa. She ob- tained employment at the Lee Davis Health Clinic and remained there for 15 years.
When her husband de- cided to launch his career in the construction industry, he created Joseph Brown, Jr., Construction, Inc., and Elder Brown joined him as the Vice President of the company.
Later, she joined the Hillsborough County School District and worked for 15 years before she retired for the second time.
During their marriage of 56 years, the couple became the parents of 5 children, 5 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.
After arriving in Tampa, Elder Brown became a member of Northside Mis- sionary Baptist Church. She
later relocated to St. John Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Bishop Eddie E. Newkirk.
Elder Brown remained at the church for the re- mainder of her life. She was the Co-Chairwoman of the Deaconess Board and well known within the religious community.
She cherished her family and enjoyed cooking, laugh- ing, modeling for Cather- ine’s Plus Size, and had a natural talent for making everyone feel loved and wel- come no matter where she was, her daughter said.
In addition to her hus- band, children, grandchil- dren and great grandchildren, Elder Brown is survived by other family members, her church family at St. John Cathedral, and friends.
Funeral services for Elder Brown will take place on Saturday. Wilson’s Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.
ELDER MARY HELEN BROWN 10/23/1942 to 8/18/2017
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 7-A