Vera Mae Brown

Vera Mae Brown, affectionately known as "Bae" and "Madear" (Mother Dear) was born in Marianna, Florida on September 6, 1923, to the loving parents of Olivia and Ben Keys. She was the eldest of seven children. She was a studious child and graduated from Marianna High School. After graduation she moved to Bradenton, FL, and was employed as a cook at the famous Pete Reynard's Yacht Club. Vera was always enthralled by education, and her close circle of friends were educators.

Vera met and married the love of her life J.C. Brown and to their union was born Lillie Carolyn Brown. Their love endured the test of time, and she affectionately loved and cared for her additional children James A. Brown, Arnold Brown, and Joyce Brown-Wilson. The couple like many migrated to the north in pursuit of better employment. They landed in Detroit, Michigan where they lived for over 40 years. But her heart called them back South to Bradenton.

Vera was raised in a Christian home being baptized in the church at Holy Neck in her younger years. Being a devout Christian woman and upon moving to Bradenton she attended Gethsemane Baptist Church and later moved her membership to St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church. After moving to Detroit, she joined the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Ecorse, Michigan under the leadership of Reverend Joseph A. Barlow. She joined the Usher Board and remained faithful until moving. When she returned to Bradenton, she re-established her membership at St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church where she was a member of the Senior Women Ministry until she was no longer physically able. But her heart continued strong in her faith in the Lord and therefore participated by phone to Bible Studies, Sunday School, and Morning Worship services. Pastor Jasper Jackson weekly visited Vera to minister to her, bring communion, and keep her encouraged in the faith.

Vera was preceded in death by her loving husband, both her parents, her siblings Ossilee Brown-Dunlap, David Keys, Joseph Keys, Leola Thinn, and Easter Mae Washington; her sons James A. and Arnold Brown; two nieces Ozetta Thomas, Merrissere Lovett and a nephew Walter Washington.

Vera leaves to cherish her memory, her loving and devoted daughter and son-in-law Lillie and Bobby Sims; daughter Joyce Brown-Wilson; her sister Lola McKinnon; her grandchildren Jacquelyn Bryant and Christopher Hart; her nephews Alex Dunlap Jr. and Wallace Washington; her great-grandchildren Calvin Bryant III and Janai Bryant-Graves; great-great granddaughters Sophia Graves and Mila Blake; cousin John Ivory Williams and all the Williams and Keys families; a loving family member Chris Martin; a special granddaughter Kristy Washington; her wonderful care-giver Concepcion (Connie) Lopez; three loving friends Sheila Sanders, Vitaree White and Margaret Miller; a loving church family, a host of other family members and close friends.