In the summer of 1942, in Dallas, Texas (Queen City), Felix A. Brown was introduced to a sweet young lady
from East Texas named Marie Burnley. It was love at first sight. Shortly after that, they married and gave
birth to seven children. The middle child, Mary Juawan Brown, was born at home on January 2, 1952.
During her youth, Mary attended Bethlehem Center Kindergarten, Charles Rice Elementary, and Lincoln
High School (Class of 1970). She was a great student, earning her place in the National Honor Society and
enrolling at El Centro College (now known as Dallas College). Mary excelled in extracurricular activities.
She was a talented musician (1st Chair Trombone Player in the Mighty Tigers Marching and Jazz Band), had
superb athletic ability in basketball and softball, and was an active member of the Maurine F. Bailey Concert
Choir. She cherished her role as a Junior Caregiver (helping the sick and elderly) and her summers at Camp
Pinkston, where she learned various life skills.
Mary accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of 12 and was baptized at the Lawrence and Marder
Street Church of Christ. She later rededicated her life to the Lord and joined the Inspiring Body of Christ
Church (IBOC), where she remained a faithful member. Mary's greatest joy was her weekly participation in
a bible study with IBOC (Monday School) and Bible Study Fellowship (a global Bible study group).
Mary had a God-given purpose and passion for helping others. After working for the United States Postal
Service and the State Fair of Texas, she had a decades-long career caring for the elderly and individuals with
special needs. She was employed by Four Seasons Nursing Home and worked for home health care agencies.
Those experiences propelled Mary to practice private home health care, where she developed a loving bond
with her clients. Even on her off days, she often volunteered her time to serve those who needed her help.
Mary's dedication to her profession led her to be selected by Nursing Homes of Texas as the representative to
attend a conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which focused on creating "magical moments" for nursing
home residents. She received the Employee of the Month award numerous times and was selected by
administrators as Sweetheart of the Month. Mary loved her job. Caring for those in need was her life's work.
On March 7, 2022, God called an angel, Mary, home to be with Him. Preceding her in transition were
her parents, Felix, Sr. and Marie Brown, a dear sister, Gwendolyn Marie Thomas, and a beloved brother,
Felix A. Brown, Jr. She leaves to cherish her loving memories, four children, Cori Brown-Tucker (Sheldon
Tucker, a loving son-in-law), Kemah L. Brown, Kitwana L. Brown and Lou B. Liggins; four sisters, Erma
Brown Carey-Bay (Edwin Bay, a devoted brother-in-law) of Houston, Jeannette Brown-Sneed, Michele
Brown-Carson, and Micheon Brown; nineteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and
nephews, honorary sister, Gwen Henry, life-long friend, Mary Smith Fields, dear Sister-in-Christ, Lillian
Liggins, employer and friend, Mrs. Jene Rain, relatives and friends.