Gladys Jean McClain Brown

Gladys Jean McClain Brown was born April 5, 1937 in Hendersonville, North Carolina to the late Alonzo Sloan McClain, Sr. & Evelyn Wood Hill McClain. Gladys was the first of eight children. On Friday, March 3, 2023 Gladys peacefully took her last breath lovingly surrounded by family.

Her education began with the colored schools in Asheville, NC, later the family moved to Gaffney, SC where she graduated from Granard High School in 1955. There she met and married her high school sweetheart, Roy Osborne Brown. They had 7 children and moved to Stamford, Connecticut in 1960. Gladys attended J.W. Vocational school, became a License Practical Nurse, and worked for St. Joseph Hospital in Stamford, Ct. Gladys began her journey into community activism for the pursuit of justice and equality. She organized marches, rallied with Civil Rights Leaders, protested the Vietnam War, advocated for Fair Housing and became President of the Ludlow Street Co-Op Association, spearheading the need for safe affordable homeownership. Gladys had a fondness for the arts, theatre, culture and antiques. So much so, that she opened with her partner, Donald Goings, the only Black Owned Antique store in Stamford, CT. She would often load her children, and Donalds four children (Donna, Terry, Ellen & Kenny) into her green Ford station wagon, and travel through the states on the weekends in search of antiques.

In 1981 Gladys moved to Jacksonville, FL. Her love of travel took her to cities throughout the United States as well as foreign travels to Switzerland, Haiti and Jamaica. Gladys became a member of Central Metropolitan CME Church where she was a dedicated and faithful member. Years of service included, Vice President of the Florida Region Missionary Society; Department Head of the Missionary Mattie E. Coleman Youth Missionary for the State of Florida; Local President of the Women’s Society; Director of the Board of Christian Education; Stewardess and member of the Voice of Praise; Church Clerk; Head of the Central Bereavement & Grief Missionary. In addition, she organized food and clothing drives to assist in the Haiti relief efforts, and volunteered with the Community Rehabilitation Center (CRC).

Gladys was preceded in death by her siblings. Sisters: Ella (Iggy) McClain, Callie McClain Atkins, and Elizabeth (Lib) McClain. Brothers Alonzo (Bro) McClain, Jr., William (Bill) McClain, Robert (Bobbie) McClain and James (TI) McClain. Gladys leaves to mourn her three daughters, Widow Royreal Rhines (John), Evelyn, Denise and four sons William, Keith, Thellus, and Douglas (Romona). Twenty-three grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Evelyn

McClain (Alonzo), brother-in-laws, William Atkins (Callie), and Benjamin T. Green (Geraldine), as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. In closing, a loving and supportive church family and extended family and friends.

For those unable to participate in-person service will be available via Zoom, Meeting ID: 677 884 0043; Passcode: 2020