Obituary of Lillie Mae Brown

Mother Lillie Mae Brown was born August 29, 1914 to Tom Hill and Mary Horsley in Salem Lee County, Alabama. She grew up in the country with her three brothers and younger sister, and walked ten miles to school every day, while eating her biscuits and jelly along the way. As a teenager, she worked in the cotton fields to help her family make ends meet. Mother Brown started her nursing career in Columbus GA where she obtained her license as a Practical Nurse. In the mid 1930s, she met and married the love of her life, Otis Brown, a soldier in the US Army at the time. She and her family then moved to Athens, GA where she lived for several years. She relocated in 1956 to Tacoma WA where she continued her nursing career at St. Joseph Hospital. During her lifetime, she served the Lord diligently. She joined St John Baptist Church, and later, at the request of Pastor Boles, helped establish Mt. Tabor Baptist Church in 1967. At Mt. Tabor, Mother Brown established the church's first Nurses Aid Committee and was a member of the Senior Choir. A few years later, her husband was ordained as a Deacon and she became a Deaconess. In 1980, Nana and her family helped Rev. Warren establish Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Parkland WA where she remained a member until joining Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in 1986. Pilgrim Rest was her church home until her last days. Her service and commitment to the Church was evident in her willingness to serve—teacher, nurse, Mother, auxiliary member, usher, choir director, hospitality board member, pastor's aid—wherever there was a need. She sewed robes and uniforms for the choirs - Hancock's Fabric Store was one of her favorite hangouts. In 1967, she and Deacon Brown became foster/receiving parents. Charles and Michelle Burdette were their first foster children. Over the next 23 years, they cared for many children, some briefly and others were keepers for life. Nana enjoyed bowling, gardening, fishing, knitting, crocheting, sewing and quilting. She was creative and resourceful (no new couch—just re-upholster the old one!). Nana and her husband were avid campers and member of KOA Camp and Good Sam Salt & Pepper Club. Over the years, she was active with the PTA and the Hilltop Coalition. Mother Brown passed away peacefully at home on October 30, 2010. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elder Otis Brown, and her daughter, Prince Ella Brooks and grandson Otis Lee Pak Brown; all of her siblings: John H. Hill, Sr., Willie Hill, Sammy Lee Hill, and Vera Williams. She leaves behind family to cherish her memory: Daughters Betty Jean Pearson, Maudelle Padilla (Guillermo), Me'chelle B. Little (Willie) and Son Tito Brown; Grandchildren: Cheryl Hill, Michael-Anthony Brooks, Michele Brooks, Caren Owens (Tad), Stacy Hare, Tracy Hare, Ayana Pearson, Jada Amy, Aszurea Amy, Thaylin Padilla, Sasha Padilla, Guillermo Padilla, Alex Padilla, Donovan Padilla, Kazarea Brown, Jasmine Coates, Rhianna Brown, Honre Sharpe, Patience Brown; 29 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren, and extended family, friends and church family. Nana was as a generous and giving Woman of God, always willing to help. She was "sassy but classy." Viewing on Friday, November 5th, 2010, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Piper-Morley-Mellinger Chapel, 5436 South Puget Sound Avenue, Tacoma, Washington. Funeral services Saturday, November 6th, 2010, 11:00 a.m. in the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 5314 Portland Ave, Tacoma WA.