Maria Brown-Ennis

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Psalms 37:23-25

HOMEGOING CELEBRATION

Assigned to Earth 1.17.1951 Recalled to Heaven 7.31.2019

August 31, 2019 - 11:00 a.m.

Pentecostal Tabernacle International, Inc. 18415 NW 7th Ave. Miami Gardens, FL 33169

Officiating Pastor George Gallimore

Oneness Apostolic Church

Bishop Royston Tracey

Pentecostal Assemblies

To u r

OF DUTY

On January 17, 1951, God displayed the beauty of His love by lending to the world a precious

gift. Maria Anestasia was born in Stony Hill, St. Andrew, Jamaica, to proud parents Thelma Walker and Dudley Waldron.

Her early education began at Stony Hill Primary School. In 1960 she relocated to reside with her aunts in Lime Tree Garden in the parish of St. Ann. In her early teens she rejoined her mother in May Pen, Clarendon, where she continued her education at May Pen Secondary and The Brown Academy. While residing in May Pen, she became a regular Sunday school member at Bethel Temple Apostolic Church under the leadership of Bishop Nathaniel A. Higgins.

In 1965 Maria believed on the Lord for salvation and was subsequently baptized in the precious name of Jesus Christ. On a Friday night shortly after her baptism while kneeling at an altar, she was filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues as the Spirit gave her utterance. That night, Maria rejoiced in her newfound liberty, speaking in tongues while walking a mile home accompanied by other precious saints. She soon became a member of the youth department and youth choir. She loved to sing and did it well!

In 1970, Sis. Yvonne, as she was affectionately called by family and friends, migrated to the United States of America to join her mother and other siblings in Stamford, Connecticut. Soon after arriving there, her mother made it clear that it was school or work; laziness was not acceptable. Yvonne’s choice of career was nursing so her mom registered her in the nursing assistance class but a few weeks later she became sick and discontinued. Endowed with a caring heart, she decided to work in the child care system where she enjoyed working with small children.

While living in Connecticut, the family occasionally visited churches and friends in New York. It was on one of those trips in 1972 that she met, and fell in love with, Minister Martel Brown. They were subsequently united in holy matrimony in March 1973. This union yielded three children - Mark, Karlene, and Alicia. In January 1975, with her one year old firstborn, while on a trip to Ft. Lauderdale to visit her sister Jennifer, Yvonne made a discovery that would affect her young family forever.

She realized she could be in America in the winter and only need a light sweater during the day. This was a far cry from the frigid temperatures she experienced up north. She quickly called Martel and told him that she and their son would not be coming back to that ice box. Within a couple of weeks he happily joined her in Ft. Lauderdale.

Besides being a devoted wife and mother, Maria was a devout Christian. Upon arriving in Ft. Lauderdale she soon became a member of the Banner of Love Apostolic Church pastored by the late Bishop L.N. Richards. In 1981 she became a foundation member of Oneness Apostolic Church founded by Elder E. Gallimore. It was there she blossomed as a singer and as what we now call a praise and worship leader. She also served in the capacities of youth leader and women’s department leader. If anything needed to be done and done well - whether it was putting together a special church program or coordinating a church picnic, you could count on Sister Brown to get it done. She was never one for accolades or public recognition, but somewhere within the fabric of the church’s success was Sister Yvonne working to get things done. She was often the first to arrive at church and was consistent in attendance whenever the church doors were open.

Tragically, late one Friday night in November of 1987, her husband, Evangelist Martel Brown, was mugged and murdered in front of their Ft. Lauderdale home. This left the strain on her to now single-handedly raise three young children. This was a devastating blow, but her confidence in Christ helped her forward in managing the household. It was at this time she obtained her certification as a nursing assistant. Maria was loved and known for extraordinary care of her patients. She was also beloved by her coworkers and was often asked for counsel and prayer. She was known for being compassionate and taking special interest in people who needed emotional and spiritual help. She had the capacity to listen and empathize with the needs of others. It was a gift from God.

Maria was a helper of those in need. It could be seen in how she opened her home to many in need over the years. One stark example of this was when her son Mark, at the age of 18, went to Jamaica to preach for a youth week in Linstead, Jamaica. Upon returning home he opened up the door to his room only to find a family of three had taken residence there while he was away. A mother and her two children had recently lost their father similar to the way Maria had lost her husband, so she decided to take them in. Mark at that time was told he would now be living with his grandmother so she could accommodate this precious family.

Many can testify to Maria being a mother when needed, and a counselor and prayer partner in tough times. She was spiritual without being spooky, practical in her approach to serving God, merciful in discipline, and forgiving when wronged. These qualities drew Bishop Arthur Ennis to befriend her and from friendship love blossomed. Soon, he proposed to the widow of twenty-one years. On January 19, 2008, Maria Brown happily became Maria Brown- Ennis. Their love was strengthened by their friendship as they became best friends. She was a great support to him, especially in his travels to give oversight to the churches in Jamaica under his jurisdiction. The churches respected her and saw her as a woman of great strength and substance.

In classic Maria style, after retiring, she found herself caring for her ailing sister Jennifer, who had been diagnosed with cancer. However, towards the end of her sister’s treatment, unknown to her, Maria was already exhibiting signs of her own very serious ailment. Unfortunately, by the time it was diagnosed there was no viable treatment available. Throughout her brief illness she remained stubbornly positive - still caring and encouraging others.

July 31, 2019 witnessed the transition of a life lived by the grace of God to the glory of God. Though her departure from this earth leaves a space that can never be filled by another, her faith in God through His all-sufficient grace is a legacy of hope that others can gladly emulate.

Maria left behind her loving husband, Bishop Arthur Ennis; Father: Dudley Waldron; Children: Mark, Karlene and Alicia; Grandchildren: Duvaughn, Dominique, Devine, Destiny, Mikhael, Sara- Michelle, Aaron, Justin, Sequoia, and Leiahna; Siblings: Dennis, Oscar, Gloria, Jennifer, Evelyn, Dudley, Paulette, and Gladstone; A host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and a loving church family.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. The Lord has given and now He has taken away. BLESSED BE HIS NAME!

HER CHILDREN RISE UP...

Words seem futile in expressing how deeply thankful we are that God allowed us to be mothered by such a precious woman. Strength, spiritual maturity, and God’s grace guided her footsteps and kept her mind sound while raising us, especially after losing our father so suddenly and tragically. Her heart was tender, but her hand was firm. She was not just a church goer; mommy was a Christ follower. We watched her live out her Christianity in the face of tragedy, betrayal, and terminal illness. She was a peacemaker and an ardent praiser. No one could sing and play a tambourine like her! Oh mommy! We miss you and our hearts will forever yearn for your embrace. However, we know that you are now in the presence of your Lord and Savior. We look forward to seeing you beyond the sunset.

Love you mommy… Mark, Karlene and Alicia

…AND CALL HER BLESSED

GOING HOME - I AM GOING HOME

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:20-21

Pallbearers Chester Spence Paul McWaynson Michael Dunbar Theodore Thompson Hugo Reid Mikhael Brown

Interment Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens 2401 SW 64th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33317

Repast Pentecostal Tabernacle Banquet Hall 18415 NW 7th Ave. Miami Gardens, FL 33169

Professional Services Royal Funeral Service Inc. 17475 NW 27th Avenue Miami Gardens, FL 33056 305-625-6818

Concept Design & Editing Annette Taylor-Spence Love CareFronting 954-439-5615

Printing Pentecostal Tabernacle International, Inc. www.PenTab.org

Graphic Design & Layout Gracious GraFX Studios www.GraciousGrafx.com 954-515-9016

THANK YOU The family would like to thank you for your expressions of sympathy, your support, your love, and your prayers during this difficult time. We are grateful to have all of you to help us on this journey. Our loss is great but our hope is greater. We grieve, yet we rejoice in this glorious hope. We pray you will be blessed as we continue to comfort one another.

Beyond

THE SUNSET

Beyond the sunset Oh, blissful morning When with our savior Heaven’s begun Earth’s toiling ended Oh, glorious dawning Beyond the sunset When day is done

THE MEMORIAL KEEPSAKE A Production of Gracious GraFx & Love CareFronting