Olevia Brown

Olevia (Hines) Brown was born on January 1, 1946, to the parentage of Amos and Lucreasy (Foots) Hines in Forrest City, Arkansas. She was the sixth child of fourteen siblings. Her family made their home in the Shady Grove Community of Forrest City, Arkansas. She attended Shady Grove and Evans Elementary Schools. She was a 1965 graduate from Lincoln High School in Forrest City, Arkansas.  

She united with The Church of The Living God, (CWFF) in Dansby, Arkansas under the pastorage of Elder Joseph McMillan at an early age. Her hands and heart were never idle. She served in many capacities of the church as a faithful and devoted servant of God. She served as a 1st Lady, Missionary, Choir Director, President of the Young People’s Progressive Union (YPPU) for District #1, Organizer &President of the Women’s Work Ministry at Temple #351, Sunday School, Bible Study among many other roles and ministries within the church. She remained faithful until her passing. 

On May 20, 1967, Olevia married the love of her life, Dr. Samuel Lee Brown. Together, they shared fifty-eight (58) wonderful years. They were blessed with five children, sixteen grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren. Throughout her life, Olevia worked in a variety of occupations: Reltoc Sewing Factory, GI Industries, Canon Computers, a skilled seamstress and a dedicated business owner. She owned and operated two In- Home Day Cares: Forrest City, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee. 

Olevia was preceded in death by her parents, Amos and Lucreasy Hines, Sr.; sisters: Zennie Mae Crawford, Magnolia Reese, Margie Whitney, and Florine Williams; and brothers: Amos Hines, Jr., Elton Hines, and Elder James Hines. She leaves to cherish her memories, her devoted husband, Dr. Samuel Brown, Children: Timothy (Cassandra)Brown of Garland, Texas, Samuel (Eren) Brown of Gunter, Texas, Tangella Brown of McKinney, Texas, Angella Brown of McKinney, Texas, and Camalon (Demond) Moore of Germantown, Tennessee. Sixteen grandchildren: Oliver Mitchell, Gregory Brown, Marcell Brown, Dominique Brown, Amber Brown, Mercedes (Jeff) Brown, Itzy(Jega) Muthu-Pandi, Prentice Collins, Joshua (Keely) Brown, Olevia Brown, Kayla Collins, Kyle Collins, Karla Hernandez, Zachary Moore, Zoe Moore, London-Olevia Brown, and the proud great-grandmother of Ian Wilkes, Eli Thomas, Jamirah Thomas, Samiyah Brown, Grace Brown, Johnny Thomas, Dakota Thomas, Faith Brown, Elianna Collins, Emiliano Collins, Giovanni Collins, Maya Muthu-Pandi, Caden Rowley, and Harmonie Brown. Three sisters: Corine Broadnax, Flossie Hines, Cleoria (Tommy) Snead; Three brothers: Carnell (Carolyn) Hines, Enrico Edgar Hines, and Harold Hines. And a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Olevia will be lovingly remembered by her family as a devoted wife, mother, woman of God, a true friend, a source of unconditional love, and for her exceptional culinary talents—especially her famous "granny rice and biscuits" which was cherished by her grandchildren. Her legacy of faith, family, and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.