Musical Prelude.............................................................................................Luther Chambers Opening Selection..........................................................................Gethsemane Music Ministry Scripture Reading.......................................................................................................Minister Old Testament ~ Psalms 27:14 New Testament ~ John 14:1-4 Prayer of Comfort.......................................................................................................Minister Dance Tribute...............................................................................................Tinisha Williams Acknowledgments...........................................................................................Linda P. Travis Reflections......................................................................................Pastor Ronnie Northam, Jr. Elmo Brown III Silent Reading of the Obituary Photo Montage Musical Selection..............................................................................................Linda P. Travis Eulogy..............................................................................................Rev. Dr. Dwight Riddick Recessional....................................................................................Clergy, Family, and Friends
Hampton Memorial Gardens 155 Butler Farm Road Hampton, VA
Mrs. Mary Lee Brown, daughter of the late Wade Jones and Clara (Dancy) Jones. Mary Lee was born in Scotland Neck, North Carolina on October 16, 1929. Mary Lee attended Newport News public elementary schools, and Huntington High school, she later married Elmo Brown Jr. Mary Lee was a dedicated and hard worker, she worked for Poquoson Motor Co, up until they relocated. Mary Lee later took her strong work ethic to Mary Immaculate Hospital, where she worked for 35 years, until she retired. She was an avid lover of Christ and a dedicated member of Gethsemane Baptist Church, where she served as a Harvester Choir member and worked at the Childcare Learning Center, where she was known as “Ma Brown”. She loved going to Church and singing in the choir, until she became too ill to do so. Being bedridden, did not stop her from always singing. Mary Lee was a devoted mother to her children and instilled in them a strong work ethic. She loved to have fun and she loved to dance, even when she was in her wheelchair, if the music came on, she would move to the beat. She was a great cook and she loved to eat good food, had a great sense of humor and her laugh was infectious. When she would smile, it was like a ray of sunshine. One of Mary Lee’s dreams was to own a house, instead of renting. With hard work and perseverance, even with making minimum wage, what seemed impossible, was now her reality. Mary Lee was a fighter, and she fought the good fight until the very end. On January 12,2021, she quietly departed this life at the age of 91, at Hampton Sentara Hospital. Mary lee was preceded in death by her brother Thurman Jones. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children, Elmo Brown III (Darryle“ Yahmalah),Tonie Hinton (Glen), Andrea ”Reese”(Tony), Claretta “Terry” Brown, Javone Brown, and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews cousins and friends. Because of her generous spirit and great personality, whichever name you knew her by, (Wee Wee, Marylee, Ma, grandma Marylee) her influence will remain, and she will be greatly missed.
Anthony Davis, Jr. D’Kari Davis Koby Cypress
Donta Davis David Sheppard Shofaetiyah Watson
Deaconess and Harvesters of Gethsemane
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me. I took his hand when I heard his call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work, to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way, I’ve found that peace at the close of the day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My Life’s been full, I savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch, Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free.
The family of the late Mary Lee Brown would like to extend their gratitude for all acts of kindness shown during their time of bereavement. Please keep them in prayer in the days to come. May God bless each of you.