Josephine Brown, of Knoxville, departed this life peacefully on April 2, 2017. She was born on August 17, 1917. She was the loving and devoted wife of late Haywood C. Brown. She is preceded in death by her husband and her sons-in-laws, Homer Buffington and Earnest Allen. She leaves to cherish her memories her beloved children, James H. (Neady) Brown, David C. Brown, Essieaurt Buffington and Mattie Allen; and a host of other relatives and friends. Mrs. Brown will lie in state in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel of Unity Mortuary on Thursday, April 6, 2017 after 12 noon. Graveside services at will be Friday, April 7, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Memorial Cemetery, Sutherland Avenue, with Reverend A. Jean Delaney, officiating.
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We will be missing you. She was great lady and wonderful woman. LOve always. Prayers for the family
We will miss you. Josie was a wonderful and great lady. Prayers for the family
Mother Brown was truly a minister of God’s unconditional love. She is dancing & rejoicing in the arms of her Heavenly Father now. She fought a good fight & won the race. She will be forever remembered by her beautiful smile & love. May fond memories bring you comfort & peace. I met my spiritual mom as an adult but, the attached self-authored poem reminds me of the kind of person she was:
Ministers of Love
Mother’s know the power of “A spoken word,” and the simplicity of God’s love. And when simple words won’t due, mother’s know the power of a hug! They have a special storehouse filled, with all kinds of non-verbal clues! Remember…how she’d help you through the play in elementary school! It didn’t matter whether you suffered from stage fright or you just forgot the lines! But mom was right there to reassure you…smiling giving gestures and whispering to coach you right on through! Her love was unconditional, regardless of whether you were good or bad! There was healing power…in her words, her touch and most of all her laughter. No amount of money can replace the nurturing power of a mother.
A self-authored tribute to all the wonderful mother’s in the world:
Motherhood
Some have won wars by there prayers. Others have led nations by nurturing babes. The greatest doctorate ever obtained was at the feet of Jesus. The greatest career ever imaginable is being led by His Spirit. There is no greater job than being about the Father’s business.
The greatest honor is to best those that cannot return the reward. Jesus said, “When you’ve done it unto the least of these [in the estimation of men], you’ve done it unto Me.
“Freely you have received, freely give.” A test of your love is give when there is no reward. The measure of your integrity is to love when no one is watching you. And the challenge of your faith is to continue on. A mother’s love doesn’t cease to nurture because of the age of the suckling babe.
Back in the year 2000, I wrote this poem for Mother Josephine Brown and this is how I will always remember her:
The Unseen Warrior
There are many unseen warriors that God has triumphantly raised throughout the land. They have no set work hours to carry out the Master’s plan. When they sense the nudge of the Father, they rise to meet His gentle command. They are clad in God’s whole armour, as they righteously defend His stand. Violently and persistently, they are tearing down strongholds that have besieged our land. Physically their knees may seem weak, but there spirits are strong. For they have waged a long and mighty (spiritual) warfare that was destined to set others free.
There wear the helmet of salvation
and wield the mighty sword of God’s word.
While carrying the shield of faith
and bearing the breastplate of His righteousness.
Their loins are girded with (spiritual) truth
and their feet are covered with the Gospel of peace.
They are mighty men and woman of valor,
full of integrity and truth
interceding for you and me,
that we would receive the revelation of God’s truth.
They help shape our destiny by waging wars on our behalf in the heavenlies.
Through many sleepless nights they fought so valiantly.
For many are released from the hand of the enemy as they fought wars we could not see.
Many of our unseen warriors are never acknowledged publicly, but we know they have a strong foothold in God’s mighty army. They don’t count the spoils of war,
they just carry God’s love in the exuberant smiles they display so graciously.
I just wanted to say that I dearly loved Josephine. She was an anointed, precious, wonderful, godly inspiration, intercessor, and mentor to me (and countless others) in Knoxville Day Aglow. In the early 90 ‘ s, I was elected President with some apprehension. On presiding at my first meeting, she quietly came up, took my hand, and read IITim. 1:6 to me. Just looking into her eyes, I saw the love of Jesus. She truly loved Him with all her heart and had such a holy, intimate relationship with Him. Our hearts were knit together that day, and I knew then I had a true sister and anointed mentor of God. From then on, every time I saw her and that smile that spread clear across her face, it was if to say, ‘It’s alright. God is in control.’ The crown she is to wear in heaven is too big. She is going to have to put it in a wheel borrow and push it around.
To The Brown Family,
I am just learning of the passing of your beloved mother. I remember her well from my childhood Boyd Street days. Unfortunately I lost contact with her soon after. Although it has been months since her passing, please accept my condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Treasure the happy times and my the God of peace be with you.