Ernestine Brown

Ernestine Delores Brown was born on June 7, 1943, to the late Alberta Odom in Montezuma, Georgia. In 1945, the Lord blessed her life with Timothy Odom, who lovingly accepted and fathered her as his own child. She graduated from D.F. Douglas High School on May 25, 1962, and on July 9, 1962, she married the love of her life, Tom Martin Brown, before migrating to Brooklyn, New York, to start a new life with her husband. They continued to migrate further north to Hartford, Connecticut, and finally settled in Springfield, Massachusetts, where they raised their five children. They cherished fifty-two years together as husband and wife.

As an adult, she started her career in the food service industry. In the early seventies, she was employed by Westvaco Corporation, a manufacturer of printing paper and envelopes. As a machine press operator for over two decades, Ernestine was recognized for the volume of envelopes her machine produced and was often relied upon to train others. There were times when she held down three jobs to take care of her family. She was a private duty nurse, a great caregiver, confidant, and valuable friend to the Katz family and many others who sought her services—many times accepting the job not for the money but for the love of taking care of others.

Ernestine accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and became a member of the New Hope Baptist Church in Montezuma, GA. On her Christian journey, she became a Deaconess in the mid-1970s at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Holyoke, MA. In 2003, she became a member of the Smyrna Baptist Church in Windsor, CT, where she served as a Deaconess, Missionary, and nurse. Ernestine was truly a dedicated member and assisted all ministries in any way she could.

In her leisure time, she was always doing the Lord's work by cooking delicious meals and baking tasty treats for the church, family members, and friends. She found joy in watching others enjoy her dishes, always displaying a huge smile on her face.

On Tuesday, February 19, 2025, Ernestine Delores Brown peacefully transitioned from earth to a mansion with many rooms. Preceding her in death are her parents, Tim and Alberta Odom; her husband, Tom Martin Brown; her granddaughter, Mercedez Brown; her sister, Ethel Lee Odom; and her brothers: Timothy Odom Jr., Nathaniel Odom, Robert Odom, and Norris Felton.

To cherish her memory, she leaves five children: Cassandra Simpson of Hampton, Virginia; Marilynn Jones (David) of Springfield, Massachusetts; Thomas Brown of Springfield, Massachusetts; Laquita Brown (William) of San Diego, California; and Deborah Long (Vernon) of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She is further survived by thirteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Her life and memory will also be treasured by her seven siblings: Mr. Curry (Alice) Odom of Batavia, NY; Mrs. Vivian O. (Edwin—deceased) Breed of Cordele, GA; Mrs. Kitty (George) Harris of Fort Valley, GA; Mr. Cornelius (Gladys) Odom; Mrs. Brenda (Lynwood) Holmes; Mrs. Frances Odom, all of Montezuma, GA; and Mr. Gregory Odom of Covington, GA; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Ernestine was dearly loved by her in-laws and left an everlasting mark in each of their hearts: Lillian Johnson (Robert) of Atlanta, Georgia; Stanley Brown of Montezuma, Georgia; Emmitt Brown (Virginia) of Oglethorpe, Georgia; and Mary Alice Jenkins (William) of Savannah, Georgia.

Ernestine was loved by many, including extended family members who will always be cherished and remembered as family: Godchildren: Pastor Darnell Gray (Jichelle) of North Carolina, Pastor Steve Lee Jr. (Kandie) of Detroit, MI, Debra Bush of Boston, MA, Johnny Bush, and Jeffrey Thomas; Sisters: Connie Katz (Richard Golber) of South Carolina and Gwendolyn Powell (Jeffrey) of Windsor, CT; Children: Josh Allen (Suzanne) of Connecticut and Rachel Allen (Jayson Lemberg) of New York; and thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.