- Date Of Birth: June 29, 1932
- Date Of Death: May 9, 2022
- State: Florida
Vernell Brown, daughter of the late Mary Ella McClain Williams and James Fye, was born on June 29, 1932, in Swainsboro, Georgia.
She spent many of her formative years in Lakeland, Florida, where she received her early education. Vernell attended Keith Bible Institute and graduated from Booker T. Washington School, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Vernell met and later married Artis Brown. Together, they raised five children: Janice Marie, Claudia Denise, Michael Edwin, Wendell Jay, and Glenda Fay. In the early years of their union, Vernell was a homemaker. She enjoyed cooking for the family and handling the business of the home. She often said she wanted her children to love the Lord, get an education, and recognize the importance of the family bond. Vernell could always be counted on to pray for her family, and she truly loved being in the company of her grandchildren and great grands.
Vernell was employed in various fields, but it was her time working at New Jersey Bell Telephone that brought her the most joy and a great deal of pride. She began her tenure with the company in 1969. Initially, she was assigned to the Traffic Department handling calls for area hotels. She later took and passed a test that resulted in her being promoted to a position in the Business Office.
Before she moved to Florida, Vernell was an active member of St.
During the time that she resided in New Jersey, Vernell was an active member of the South Jersey Continentals.
Last year, the Lord led the family to plan a surprise party to celebrate Vernell’s 89th birthday.
Vernell was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one grandchild, Jonathan Washington.
On May 9, 2022, after a brief illness, Vernell transitioned peacefully to her heavenly home. She leaves to celebrate her life and legacy her five children, Janice Coles (Larry), Claudia Brown Fortune, Michael Brown (Toni), Wendell Brown (Nicole) and Glenda Teitel (Edward); six grandchildren, Alicia Williams (Denean), Avery Brown, Gabrielle Brown, Matthew Brown, Rachel Brown, Grace Teitel; three great-grandchildren, Cameron Williams, Gaven Williams, and Joshua Williams; four sisters-in-law, Doris Brown, Pearl Hicks (Freddie), Helen Watkins (Ben), and Vernell Brown; one brother-in-law, Elgia Brown (Juanita) and a host of other family and friends, including the members of the special “Birthday Club,” all of whom loved her dearly.
