Pearl Brown

Pearl Brown was called to glory on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. Pearl was a caring, loving, and kind person, who deeply loved her children and grandchildren.

Pearls family moved from Saint Louis, Missouri to Springfield, Illinois in 1943, where she attended Feitshans High School. She worked as an elevator operator, housekeeper, and as a clerk for Franklin Life Insurance Company. Raising children who loved the Lord was important to Pearl. The family attended Capital City Church of God, where Pearl was an active member of the church choir and Sunday school. A firm believer that Christians have an obligation to help others was often demonstrated when she opened her home to neighboring mothers and wives needing a moment of peace from storms of life.

Pearl balanced work with the raising of her children. Although Pearl never owned a car, and the bus was her main mode of transportation, bad weather did not deter her from going to work. She gained a great deal of satisfaction providing modest allowances to her children. Pearl encouraged them to participate in sports; and when possible, she attended their events after working all day. Pearl lived in Ann Arbor Michigan for more than two decades and became a University of Michigan football and basketball fan. An avid reader until dementia made it too challenging for her, Pearls days began with reading biblical scriptures, followed by listening to her transistor radio while working crossword puzzles in the local newspaper. She also loved watching soap operas and classic TV movies. Another one of her joys was going to the beauty shop. Finally, Pearl looked forward to the holidays when she enjoyed time with family.

Pearl is preceded in death by her mother, Ella (Williams) Brown; father, Hiram Brown; siblings: Margaret Evans, George Brown, Hiram Brown Jr., Ellen Moore, and Joseph Robert "Buddy" Brown.

Left to cherish her memory are five children: Ronald Brown (Lillie), Reginald Brown, George Ralph Brown, Kevin Brown (Debbie), and Michelle Medley (Freddy); twelve grandchildren, Khari Brown, Katura Brown, Schquita Brown, Shante Brown, Rashaud Brown, Rashaunda Brown, Rashelle Brown, Kevenna Brown, Alexis Brown, Dante Brown, Brian Lomelino, and Nichelle Jamal; and a host of great-grandchildren.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at St. Paul AME Church, 1130 South 16th Street, Springfield.

Funeral Ceremony: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at St. Paul AME Church, with Pastor Shaughnessy Small officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.