Dorothy Mae Brown

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. On November 4,2025, at 1:52 P.M. surrounded by praying family members, this faithful servant of God transitioned from labor to reward. Mother Dorothy Mae Brown, 84, passed away due to complications from an ongoing illness.
Mother Brown, as she was affectionately known, was the daughter of Jessie J and Elizabeth Lee born in Little Rock Arkansas. After moving to South Bend, the family dynamics changed, and she was also raised by an additional loving Mother (Big Mama) Susie Lee.
July 27,1957, she married the late Bishop John N. Brown Sr. It truly must have been love, she could not boil water, and he could not afford a ring. This union lasted 63 years and was blessed with 5 children. John N. Jr., Terry L, Richard A, Dorothea M., and Timothy R.
Her confession of faith journey began in 1969 while attending services at the Holiness Church of God under the leadership of Bishop J.R. Hopson. After a time of prayer and fasting they became a team working together winning souls for Christ and doing whatever was needed. 1Co 7:14 "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife." It was while serving at Holiness Church of God she was ordained Mother Brown, and this title followed her throughout the rest of her journey. A title she was grateful to hold.
Mother's love language was cooking. A person who couldn't boil water but desired to make her husband happy learned how to become proficient at cooking, barbecuing and baking, personally and professionally. You could not visit her home without being offered something to eat. She worked for the Marriott Corporation (Howard Johnson) as a cook and retired in 1996 after over 30 years of service. It was there where she asked her Supervisor Fred McFall to be her brother and he graciously accepted. If the truth was told, she was the supervisor since she did whatever she wanted to do.
Her life's work reflects a rare blend of compassion, conviction and humor. She lived her life through her life verse: Pr 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
She definitely enjoyed getting her praise on and often walked the aisle of the church singing, dancing and compelling people to surrender to God.
September 20,1992, working faithfully beside her husband and answering the call of God, The Gethsemane Church of God was founded. The Church motto is "Christ the Answer."
This inner-city ministry established to exemplify the nature of God, and an outreach to meet the spiritual and physical needs that exist within this community, has assisted hundreds and by God's grace it will continue to do so. He is our "Magnamenious" Savior. The Journey continues. The mission is not completed.
Morther Brown leaves to cherish her memory - three children: Bishop John (Naomi) Brown Jr., Minister Dorothea (Brown) Jones, Elder Timothy (Regina) Brown, of South Bend; Extended family members: Fred (Anita) McFall of Strongsville, Ohio; Bishop Jesse (Linda) Oden of Paducah, KY; Veronica Nussbaum of Tyler, TX; Mother JoAnn Jones-Brown of South Bend; and Charles Mitchell also of South Bend; 18 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, the Gethsemane Church of God Family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents - Jessie J. and Susie Lee, Elizabeth Johnson; husband - Bishop John N. Brown Sr.; sisters - Beatrice Palmer and Betty J. Kirkendoll; prayer partner - Minister Bertha Brown; two sons - Terry Lee Brown and Richard Ananis Brown (Daddy Rick).
Rev 21:4 "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
To send flowers
to the family, please visit our floral store.