Lillie Rose Brown

Obituary

Lillie Rose Dowdy Brown was born to Andrew and Augusta Gaines Dowdy on July 21, 1921, in Slayden, MS. There is some uncertainty regarding her d.o.b., but she was born again at an early age and joined Mt. Pisgah Methodist Church (Cayce, MS). She was united in holy matrimony to Rayzell Brown (Big Buddy) (deceased 1989). They relocated to Memphis, and she joined St. John Baptist Church (Deadrick St.) She worked in various ministries, including Dr. Watts, Missionary, the Mother Board, Sunday School, Birthday Ministry, and the food committee (old St. John). She always thought she had a special gift for visiting the sick at their home and in the hospital. Pastor Rev. L.D. McGee was her pastor until he retired. Pastor James E. Delaney then became and still is her pastor. She attended St. John until she on longer could. She was known to many at her church as “The Hat Lady.”

She worked in private homes earning $4.00 and carfare per day. She was employed at West Tenn. Tuberculosis Hospital (8 years). She also acquired employment at The Memphis Mental Health Hospital in 1961 (dietary) working the early shift, she attended adult night classes at Melrose and learned to sew while attending BTW night school. She retired from MMH in 1999. Mrs. Lillie Rose knew a lot about field and garden work as a child. Both parents passed when she was an infant, and she was reared by her maternal grandparents, Ben and Rose Gaines. She was always helping children who needed food and clothing. Both Lillie Rose and her brother William Dowdy (deceased), helped to support family members as best they could.

A long resident of “Orange Mound,” she participated in the Christian Benevolent Lodge Society, and Credit Union, which was established by M.J. Edwards and Mr. John Cummings. She was also a member of the O.M. Senior Citizens group, Neighborhood Watch and worked with the Realtor Evelyn Taylor and others opening a nursing home in the Old Melrose Science and English Building on the Handley Street side. The Orange Mound Community is listed in the National Registry in Washington, D.C.

She leaves behind a daughter, Arline B. Gross (Larry, deceased) of Memphis, TN, two grandsons, Rayzell B. Gross, Sr. (Paula), and Courtney B. Gross Sr, both of Memphis, TN, 5 great grand children Camille Richmond Gross, Rayzell Gross II, Raychael Gross, Shanaiya Gross and Courtney Gross Jr., one great great grandchild, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors. Two former Supervisors always call her their mother, Norma J. Bryant and Thelma Lewis, and Rev. Harold Skipper considers her to be his godmother.

A visitation for Lillie will be held Monday, March 24, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 1656 Pendleton St, Memphis, TN 38114. A funeral will occur Monday, March 24, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 1656 Pendleton St, Memphis, TN 38114. A burial will occur Monday, March 24, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Memphis National Cemetery, 3568 Townes Ave, Memphis, TN 38122.