Alice Vivian Brown

Alice Vivian Brown died Monday November 23, 2015 surrounded by her family: She went to be with her Lord and to be reunited with her many family members who had gone on before. She was 87 years old. Born in Ducktown, Tennessee on October 25, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Joe and Ethel (Smith) Ramey. Vivian was raised in West Virginia along with her four brothers and two sisters. In 1953 she moved to Lansing, Michigan where she built a life and family of four children, 13 Grandchildren, 25 Great Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great Grandchilden. Vivian was, for the Brown Family, the last generation of the Southern Life and a Heritage that she cherished and carried throughout her life. Although a resident of Michigan for the majority of her life, she proudly maintained her Southern accent and traditions. She was employed by Michigan National Bank, but her primary focus was to bring together and support her family life. She alone was responsible for a weekly Sunday dinner after church, constant parties, annual reunions, and daily childcare for all her grandchildren and their children. The stories of life at Mom and Grandma’s house are endless. Vivian’s strong faith was constant and always at the center of her life. She showed her love of God in everything and all things throughout her whole life. She also had a deep love of country and was actively involved in Veterans support. Vivian was loved and beloved by everyone she met. She had the rare ability of embracing and welcoming you into her heart, and family which in turn wrapped her so deeply around the heart of every man, woman, and child that she knew. Vivian (Pug) was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Thurman C. Brown; son-in-law , Albert VanBuren; her brothers, Clyde Ramey and Claude Ramey; and sisters, Irene Bishop and Pauline Baker. Vivian is survived by her children, T. Joe Brown, Janice Y. VanBuren, Gary M. (Cindy) Brown, Rodney C. (Jean) Brown; brothers, James (Marilyn) Ramey, Glen (Louise) Ramey; grandchildren, Amy J. (Rob) Brown-Burgio, Kim VanBuren (Craig) Sleep, Bethany Brown (Rob) Buffington, Christopher D. (Amie) Brown, Rodney Brown, Garett (Jesse) Brown, Carrie M. VanBuren, Jonathan(Amanda) Brown, Casey (Nell) Brown, Kyle (Allison) VanBuren, Leah VanBuren (Eric) Buckland, Amanda Brown and Ashley Brown; 25 Great Grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.A funeral service will be held at 11am on Monday, November 30, 2015 at the Parker Memorial Baptist Church, 1902 E. Cavanaugh, Lansing MI 48910. The family will receive friends from 5-8pm on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes Lansing, 900 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, Michigan 48912 and 1 hour prior to the service on Monday. For those desiring, contributions may be made in memory of Vivian to the Wounded Warriors Project , P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.grlansing.com.