Olive M. "Layla" Brown

BROWN Olive M. "Layla" Brown, age 32, suddenly the glory came down and ascended her into heaven on December 8, 2005 at Grant Hospital. She is survived by her husband, Keith Brown; son, Joshua Brown; father, Gary (Jonie) Davenport; mother, Minister Olive Davenport-Gordon (Pastor Clyde Gordon); her special adopted brother, Warren Jones; sisters, Karey (Micrin) Norman, Melissa, and Melinda Davenport; brothers, Gary (Emily) Davenport, Anthony Davenport; and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, and cousins. At age 4, Olive attended Vacation Bible School at the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, where she sang in the Childrens' Choir. At an early age she received Christ at the Triedstone Baptist Church, and sang in that church's Childrens' Choir. In 1995 she joined World Harvest Church, where she became a lay minister and worked on the special events (Camp Meeting, Chariots of Fire, Project Hope). Olive was born and raised in Columbus, OH; she attended Hiltonia Middle School, where she was Student Council President. She attanded South High School from 1987-91, and while there she participated, performed, and traveled to New York and the Midwest as a member of the Mixed Choir, Show Choir, and Women's Glee Club. While in high school, she played several instruments and participated in the concert and jazz bands. Olive taught children at Roger Parish Music Studio, where she was actively pursuing a career in vocal music. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Honor Roll, tennis team, and an active member of of the Student Government. Olive attended Bowling Green State University on a music scholarship, which was offered to her immediately after an audition. While attending BGSU she performed with Collegiate Chorale under the direction of Mr. Richard Mathey. Olive received private vocal music training from Mrs. Virginia Star in 1995; she represented BGSU as a Senator in university government. She graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts in music. Upon her return to Columbus, she temporarily worked as a substitute teacher in the Columbus Public School system; and was later offered a permanent position as an elementary school teacher; her latest position was as music teaher at the Franklin Alternative Middle School, where she supervised the Show Choir, Symphonic Choir, Vocal Music, and General Music programs. In 2004 she worked on the music curriculum for grades 7-8 for the entire Columbus Public School system. At the time of her passing, Olive was pursuing a Master of Music Education degree at the Ohio State University, where she sang in the Ohio State Gospel Choir, under the direction of Dr. Raymond Wise. Service of memory for Olive to be held Tuesday, 11 a.m. at the World Harvest Church, 4595 Gender Rd., Canal Winchester, OH. Rev. Bill Canfield, officiating. The family will receive friends at the church Tuesday 10 a.m. until the start of services. Her interment will be be in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. Arrangements entrusted to DIEHL-WHITTAKER FUNERAL SERVICE, 720 E. Long St.