Ms. Nancy Rea Brown

“This is a day I know you never wanted to see. The day you must say goodbye to me. I know it’s hard for you to understand, but this is all in the Master Plan.” Nancy’s life began on November 23, 1937. She was the second child born to Booker T. and Duchess Gathing and was blessed to grow up with her brother and sister. Her father and mother preceded her in their home going. Byhalia, Mississippi is where she was born. She confessed her faith in Christ when she was yet a child, baptized and joined the Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee under the pastorate of the late Rev. C. L. Williams. She was a member of the youth choir. Sis. Lucie E. Campbell was the church Ministry of Music and organist and they would sing the songs she had written. In 1956, Nancy moved to Cleveland, Ohio with her mother and sister. She united with the New Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. C. J. Thompson; church ministries were a member of senior choir #2 and president, member of the wonder singers and supervisor of mass choir, Director of the youth Department, 13 T.U. Instructor, Secretary of the Building Fund Church’s Historian and Church Clerk. She received many awards for years of service and dedication. She was a proud graduate of St. Edward Catholic High School in 1957. She was united in Holy Matrimony to David Webster Brown on September 26, 1959 and to this union one child was born. In 2004, she moved from Cleveland, Ohio to Cincinnati to be with her daughter and granddaughters. She united with the Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Donald E. Jones, where she continued to do God’s work as a member of the Evangelism Ministry and the Gospel Chorus. Nancy was a delight, a giving person, a blessing for her family, friends and associates. Those who knew her, will reflect on her zeal, faith, professionalism, sense of unity, caring for the sick, hard-working, kind, energetic and loving. They will focus their remembrances on her winning smile; that was Nancy. She leaves to celebrate her passing; daughter, Alicia Lynne Brown; two granddaughters, Alexa Lynne and Angela Amanda Hamilton; sister, Lillie Pepper Gathing, of Cleveland, OH; all of her dear cousins, nieces, nephew and a host of relatives and friends.

Ms. Nancy Rea Brown

November 23, 1937 - June 1, 2018