Doris L. Strickland Brown

BROWN Mother Doris L. Strickland Brown, an incredible woman of God, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, April 14, 2006 at the Wexner Heritage House. She was preceded in death by her parents Elvira and Emanuel Strickland, husband Rev. Landis C. Brown, Sr.,son Rev. Landis C. Brown, Jr., grandson Laurence Daryl Simmons "Dae-Dae", brothers Willie, James and Dorsey Strickland, sisters Geneva Bowers and Laura Porter. Mother Brown was the wife of the late, great Rev. Landis C. Brown, Sr. for over 47 years and was considered a musical icon in the Columbus community. She spent a lifetime of devoted service as Minister of Music of the Ebenezer Baptist Church for over 57 consecutive years. During her illustrious musical career she wrote over 100 original songs and directed the Ebenezer Baptist Church Mass Choir (EBCMC) in the production of 19 live recordings. As a result of her association with the Ohio Arts Council and other organizations, the EBCMC made featured appearances with national recording artists and celebrities including Paul Anka, John Amos (Good Times fame), Patty Austin, Judy Collins and Phil Donahue. The EBCMC has inspired audiences all over Ohio and in many states with appearances at the Lancaster Festival, the Worthington Festival, the Cuyahoga Valley Folk Festival (over 64,000 attendance), the Ohio Bi-Centennial celebration, Ameri-Flora the Oktoberfest, the annual Aids Awareness Benefit, the Pastors' Partners luncheons, the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King Commission and the Ohio State Fair. She was the first and only President of the Guiding Light Guild since its inception and was a member of the Baptist Ministers' Wives and Widows Alliance. Her numerous affiliations include musician for Youth Connections, Inc., the Ohio Arts Council and she was a past Director of the Simultaneous Choir. She has conducted workshops which culminated ina concert by the EBCMC at Kenyon College and other colleges in Ohio. Mother Brown is a product of the Columbus Public School System and attended Franklin University. Her musical career was further enhanced as mother of the talented Brown Singers. She trained and accompanied them as three-time winners of the Original Ted Mack Amateur Hour and during performances as Goodwill Ambassadors designated by former Governor Jim Rhodes at the New York Worlds' Fair in 1965. Mother Brown and the Brown singers toured with the Chicago Brass Band for over two years. Mother Brown was featured in a solo rendition of "How Great Thou Art" as they traveled and performed. Their performances together included: the West Point Academy and Myrtle Beach South Carolina. Mother Brown is survived by her four daughters, Doris B. (Pastor Aaron A.) Hull "Bunny", Landa "Pocahontas" "Snookie" Brown Bates, Pastor Landareece A. Brown "Cookie", and Lannette "Candy" Brown; 11 grandchildren, Cleve Brown "Ching", Channel Smith "CC", Doris "Dee" Bates, Jerri Jordan, Janelle Jordan, Landis C. III "Rocky", Preston Brown and Jasmine Brown, Brandon Grey, LaQuan Grey "Quani" and Landis Justin Brown; 17 great-grands, Juan, Darryl, Tracie, Jerri, Marshone, Jashone, Dejon, Darius, Desmond, Danielle "Bunny", Simone, Indya, Landa Dorshae, Edward "Little Daddy", Jenise, Azylah, and Jalia; godson, Andre Lykes; uncle, Arthur Lee Daniels; aunts, Ann Daniels and Georgia Mae Daniels; special cousin, Mag Johnson; lifelong caregivers, Mike Bowers and godson, Robert Eskridge, Jr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and loved ones. Home Going Celebration for Mother Brown will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2006 at Refuge Baptist Church, 400 N. 20th Street. Daughter, Pastor Landareece A. Brown, Eulogist and Pastor Roderick C. Pounds, Officiating. Mother Brown's body will lie in state Friday from 4 p.m. until time of Service, at the Refuge Baptist Church, where family will receive friends from 7 p.m. until time of Service. Interment 10 a.m. Saturday, April 22, 2006, Evergreen Cemetery. The WAYNE T. LEE FUNERAL SERVICE family, (614) 253-7944, joins the Brown Family and the community in celebrating the life of beloved friend, Mother Doris L. Brown, please sign/view her online guestbook by going to www.dispatch.com, click on obituaries.