Edna M. Brown

Brown ~ Mrs. Edna Marie (Thompson, Mitchell) Brown, beloved mother, wife, sister, aunt, grandmother, godmother, friend, teacher, and prayer warrior went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, October 20, 2021. 

Mama Brown was born December 22, 1935, in Kings Ferry, Florida, the daughter of the late Ernestine Baker and John Hardy Thompson, Sr.  She was educated in Nassau County Public Schools.  Edna loved God and loved to share His love with others.  For many years, she served in various areas of the church, including the choir and children’s ministry.  Her love for children and music opened the door for her to later work at Smoky Bear Preschool in Gainesville, Florida. She later opened her own daycare, the E. Marie Brown Family Day Care, where she lovingly touched the lives of many children and their families.

In her early years, Edna married Johnnie Lee Mitchell and to that union were born two sons, Donald J. Mitchell, and Johnnie L. Mitchell.  Later, she married Reverend James E. Brown and he brought into this union eight children (who affectionately called her “Lil Mama”).  Also, of this union was born one daughter, Alicia J. Brown.

As a pastor's wife, she served with her husband in the Florida United Methodist Conference. Their ministry of service included St. Stephens (Hastings); Franklintown and Trinity (Fernandina Beach); Trinity (St. Augustine); New Hope, Huntsville, and Trinity (Lake City); Zion, Santos Little Chapel and Wesley Chapel (Ocala); Mt. Pleasant (Gainesville); Banks (Archer).

Her impact and influence in the Body of Christ is widespread.  She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James E. Brown; their children, Johnnie L. Mitchell, Jackie Tuck, Jan Brown, and Lorraine Williams; siblings, Eddie L. Thompson, James Thompson, John "Buddy" Thompson, Evelyn Jordan, and Elaine Thompson.

Edna leaves to mourn, her children, Gregory Brown, Carmene (Tom) Jones, Donald Mitchell, Eugene Brown, Avis (Maurice) Smith, Leslie (Kelvin) Highsmith, Alicia (Nathan) Deshields, Jackie (Nate) Parramore, and Bennie (Joe) Simpkins; grandchildren; siblings, Dorothy Richo, George (Elizabeth) Thompson, Thelma Albertie, Jereline (Lawrence) Williams, Grace (Charles) Mitchell, Sammie (Kay) Thompson, Willie (Eva) Thompson, Willie Mae (John) Ewing, Kalvin (Eron) Thompson, and Katrina (Granderson) Davis; godchildren: Angela Russell, Lawrence Mack-Harrell, LaSheka Mack, Stephanie Hardison, Daryl Scott, Darold Williams, and Harold Williams; brother-in-law: Charles (Barbara) Brown; sisters-in-law, Joan Simmons and Betty Wardlaw; a special friend, Ella Alderman; several nephews, nieces, cousins and a host of friends.

Celebration of Life service for Mrs. Edna Marie Brown will be 11:00AM Saturday, October 23, 2021 at River of Praise Worship Center, 83410 St. Mark Drive, Yulee, Florida.  Visitation Friday from 5 – 7:00 PM at The Soutel Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, tribute donations can be made in memory of Edna Marie Brown to the Alzheimer’s Association for research and treatment.  Edna Marie Brown Alzheimers Tribute  or  https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=718053  or mail donation to Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011.  Because of the love of her family, arrangements entrusted to J. E. Fralin & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services, 5065 Soutel Drive, 904-924-9400

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