Joan Jonetta "Poola; MUDDA" Brown

Fmr. Commissioner Joan Brown, 79, of Benton Harbor, MI. passed away Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Corewell Health in Niles, Michigan. Joan proudly served the city of Benton Harbor as City Commissioner for two terms in the second ward district. Joan was a devoted and proud mom of 11 children, some of her passions included music, reading, and helping others….

Survivors include seven children…Terri Suel, David Suel, Shenell Suel, Sonya Morgan, Percy Brown, Ezia Brown and Azizudin Mujtaba-El. She left behind 42 grandchildren, 74 great great grandchildren and 4 great great great grandchildren…also a host of cousins in Ft Wayne Indiana.

Joan was known to many as Commissioner Brown, Poola, to her children and grandchildren as MUDDA. She was known to have a kindred soul, she was very caring, loving and honest, she was a friend to many..Joan will be dearly missed by all that knew her.

She will join in heaven her eldest daughter Marjorie Carter, her other daughter Janice Suel and two grandsons, Ricky McClendon and Domonique Williams as well as her parents Rosie Suel and Nathaniel Banks.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the Spring.