Suzanne Elise Riley Brown

1945 - 2025

Suzanne Elise Riley Brown was born on May 16, 1945 and went to heaven peacefully on January 21, 2025 in Clinton, Mississippi. Suzanne loved her Savior, Jesus Christ first, her husband second, and her family third. She also created spaces in her life for many friends, church involvement, meaningful jobs, and a list of pet toy poodles that were close to her heart and always at her side throughout her adulthood. Born in Jackson, MS, Suzanne grew up as a member of First Baptist Church, Jackson and graduated from Murrah High School in 1963. She went on to achieve a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Millsaps College in 1967 where she was an active member of Chi Omega Sorority. She married James Fulton Brown, Jr. in 1968 shortly after he arrived home from serving in the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam. She always loved to recall, "my daddy thought mother and I were crazy for planning a wedding while Jim was in Vietnam, but I knew he'd come home!" Their love for one another created a beautiful family and lifetime of memories together. Their legacy of commitment to one another and "togetherness" will live on for generations. Suzanne utilized her education degree to become the Assistant Director of The Education Center of Mississippi in Jackson where she was very successful, but left to stay home when her first son was born. Two years later she had another son and continued to stay home to rear her boys and give them all of the love, attention, and training they needed. She and Jim faithfully took them to church at First Baptist Jackson where she taught and directed children's Sunday school, volunteered as a greeter, helped with VBS, and served faithfully. As the boys got older, one of Suzanne's biggest joys came unexpectedly when she became the Executive Secretary of the Mississippi Youth Soccer Association. She lovingly processed the paperwork that allowed thousands of children to play soccer around the state and south. When she retired in 2005, they honored her dedication and work by creating the Suzanne Brown Award to be given yearly to the administrator of the year. In retirement, Suzanne and Jim moved to Madison to enjoy the serene views of Lake Caroline and became active members of Grace Crossing Baptist Church.

While Suzanne's work and community involvement were an important part of her life, her grandchildren brought her pure joy! She was there for every birth, every birthday possible, soccer games, dance recitals, school programs, and everything that came in between. Her purse was always full of candy, little toys and treats for grandchildren. She gave them all unconditional love, patience, energy for teaching them new things, and her time.

She will always be remembered for the thoughtful and sweet gifts she gave to those she loved. Her love language was gift giving and she had an uncanny knack for finding unique and special things that meant something to the recipient. She often signed her cards with 1-2-3, which we all knew meant I love you. She meticulously made personalized cakes for events and birthdays that will always be remembered…. especially Ziggy!

The final years of Suzanne's life included tough health struggles, but she never lost her ability to laugh at Jim's jokes, take joy in the little things like an iced Frappe, flash her beautiful smile or make effort to engage in a call or visit from her family. Her loving kindness will never be forgotten. Even at the end of her life with a weak body and a mind that was not always clear, when Jim said, "I love you", she always responded with "I love you, too".

Suzanne was proceeded in death by her parents, Miles Riley, Sr. and Elise Hopson Riley and her brother Miles Riley, Jr.

Suzanne is survived by her husband of almost 57 years, James Fulton Brown, Jr., her sons, Riley Brown (Amanda), Matt Brown (Paula), her six grandchildren, Kice Brown (Tatum), Hunter Cate Ginn (Jacob), Gabe Riley Brown, Peyton Elise Brown, Briggs Brown, Kellan Brown, and one great grandchild, Wilson Brown. Suzanne is also survived by her beloved nieces Dawn Riley and Michelle Riley D'Arville whom she considered to be her daughters and Jim's three nephews who were very dear to her. Suzanne was blessed with many cousins who were her childhood best friends and the dearest confidants throughout adulthood.

Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at Wright and Ferguson in Clinton, MS. The service will follow there in the chapel at 3:00pm.