Mrs. Dorothy Henderson Brown
Dorothy Henderson Brown, the daughter of Odell and Gertrude Gilliam Henderson, was born and raised in Newberry, South Carolina. As a young girl, Mrs. Brown lost her mother and father, but despite that obstacle, she charted her road to success. She was reared by her aunt and uncle, Mr. Jobe and Mrs. Mary Gray. She attended Newberry County Public Schools where she was a honor student and a majorette at Drayton Street High School and graduated early in 1953.
Because of her passion to be greater than nothing, she continued her education at Allen University where she pursued her bachelor’s degree. At Allen, she marched with grace and style as a majorette on the Allen University Marching Band. While still a student at her beloved Allen University, she used her charm and intelligence to capture the love of a handsome and intelligent young man who would become her husband, Joe Ellis Brown, Sr. Every time she marched in front of the band as a majorette, it thrilled him to see her high stepping her way through college. Dorothy continued her education at South State University where she earned her master’s degree in Elementary Education.
Mrs. Brown came to and served the Hopkins community in 1959 alongside her husband. Their union brought forth four awesome children, Joe Ellis, Jr, Angela Gay, Kathy Ann, and L’Tanya Gabriel. While working and caring for her family early in her marriage, Dorothy and Joe opened their home to care for numerous nieces, nephews, and her sister Patricia. When you visited her home, you were always treated with warmth and a delicious home cooked meal.
During her 31.5 years as an educator, she served students at Atlas Road Elementary, Columbia, South Carolina, Hopkins Elementary and High School, Hopkins, South Carolina, Gibbes Middle School, Columbia, SC and I. Ellis Johnson Elementary School, Laurinburg, North Carolina. To this day, you can still hear her former students saying phrases she often shared to motivate and guide them toward excellence such as, “Nothing beats a failure but a try.”, “I may give out, but I don’t give up.” and “Stop, count to ten before you act.” During her many years as an educator, she was named Teacher of the Year several times.
Dorothy, a virtuous woman, was involved in numerous organizations: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Gamma Nu Omega Chapter, National Council of Negro Women, American Cancer Society, Richland County Education Association, South Carolina Education Association, National Education Association, Allen University Alumni Association, CARDS Bridge Club, New Century Bridge Club, Exclusive 13 Bridge Club, Casual Amiable Bridge Sisters, Fairwold Acres/Harlem Heights Neighborhood Association, Cherokee Lakes Social Club, The Friendly Ladies Club, The Sunshine Neighborhood Club,
After retiring from the field of education, she continued to serve the needs of others by volunteering her time as a surrogate caregiver to the elderly providing services such as transporting the elderly to medical appointments and other activities, assisting with handling their household and business needs, providing companionship, and providing home cooked meals.
Dorothy Brown received numerous achievements and honors to include The Order of the Palmetto, Black Women Community Leaders Award by the National Council of Negro Women, Incorporated, The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Columbia Community Relations Council recognition, St. John Baptist Church Women’s Day Award.
Dorothy Brown is survived by daughters: Angela Gay and L’Tanya Gabriel, a sister; Patricia H. Caldwell, sister-in-law, Amanda Williford, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her husband, the late Dr. Joe Ellis Brown, Sr. (former SC State Representative, District 73), a daughter, the late Kathy Ann and a son, the late Joe Ellis Brown, Jr., three sisters, the late Marian Henderson Gallman, Lossie Mae Henderson Mitchell, three brothers, the late Odell Henderson Jr., Hunion Henderson, Peter Henderson.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dorothy H. Brown EAF (Education Advancement Foundation) Fund. Donations can be made using the following options:
Bank: Any South Carolina State Credit Union Branch Electronic Transactions:
Zelle: agb101@att.net CashApp: $DorothyHBrownEAFFund
My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family. I remember your sweet voice at Gibbes Middle School. You really loved being a teacher and you cared about All your students. Take your rest. You will truly be missed
My condolence to the Brown Family. I remember Mrs. Brown as a faithful member of the Columbia Section of NCNW. May she rest in peace.
My condolences to the family of Mrs. Dorothy Brown, our neighbors on Frye Road. What a wonderful place to grow up. I will never forget the Frye Road ‘villagers’ who loved and cared for all of us. The Browns are an important part of the village and will always be cherished and remembered.
RIP Mrs. Brown
Sending heartfelt condolences to the family of Mrs. Dorothy Brown. As her neighbor for more than 30 years, the Brown family and the Hardy family have shared a wonderful bond. Rest Well, Mrs. Brown❤️🙏🏽
Aunt Dot touched so many lives and her legacy will travel with all of us. She was truly a woman of action. While I have known her all of my life, I experience the graciousness of her heart in 1988. I arrived in Columbia SC on a train at 5:30am. As I got off the train and it pulled away, I looked in the opposite direction and there was Aunt Dot.
To the family of a very kind and loving person, May God hold you lose, comfort you gently and carry you through..
A very dear friend,
Betty Mack
My good friend/ sister Angela, Tan, and Auntie sending you my deepest sympathy! But please don’t share too many tears of sadness, the three of you were the bests care givers that I ever knew! I know dad were thanking you from heaven ❤️! Now the two of the are together! If I can do anything for the family, please let me know! Love you guys much!
We will miss you Aunt Dot. Thank you for all of your many lessons you taught us. Thank you for always encouraging us to continue our education. My condolences and you will be always in my heart .
Sincere condolences to Angela and LaTanya. May you find solace in the days ahead. Mrs. Brown and I taught together at Heyward Middle School. She was a high-level teaching professional I had the pleasure of working with during my tenure at Gibbes.
I send my deepest condolences to my cousins Angela and LaTanya. May God continue to strengthen you during this time. Aunt Dorothy was a beautiful woman inside and out. She was always serving and using her talents to help improve the lives of others. I have the most beautiful memories of the times that we spent together (especially when I was younger) and I will continue to cherish those fond memories. She definitely had an impact on me because I also chose education as a career. She will truly be missed! May the work I have done speak for me!
I would like to send my heart felt condolences to LaTanya and Angela may God comfort you all during this difficult times. God promised us hope at Revelation 21: 3,4. There we learn He will do away with all pain and suffering.
To The Family.
Dorothy will be missed, but always remembered as a sincere, friendly, and gracious lady, whose beautiful presence favorably impacted many.
Bob and I pray that the Peace of the Lord be with you.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Gay and L’Tanya. Your mother all ways treated me like family evertime I visited her home or when she came to Newberry. My Condolences to both of you as well as Pat her sister, and Alvena her devoted niece. Blessings to all
Aunt Dot will be missed by all of those that had the privilege to know her and love her. What a special lady. Angela and La’Tanya be proud that you all were by your MOM ‘s side when she needed you the most. What a life well lived and a wealth of fun and loving memories you will have to cherish that will give you the strength to move forward. Sending love, hugs and many prayers to the Brown and Henderson families during this time of bereavement.
You have my deepest sympathy and unwavering support. Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. Wishing you the best and know you have my full support in every moment.
Deepest condolences and prayers to the family of Mrs. Dorothy Henderson Brown. Mrs. Brown
was my 3rd grade teacher at Hopkins Elementary back in the day. She was a wonderful educator.
My prayers and condolences are with you and your family during this time of loss. Mrs. Brown was a beautiful person inside and out.
My prayers are with you and your family 🙏
To Pat and the Brown family: I extend my deepest sympathy in the passing of your beloved Dorothy. May the love of God, family and friends comfort you now and in the days to come.
My prayers goes out to Family.I can remember Mrs.Brown attending St.John Baptist Church in Hopkins S.C.,along with the late Joe E Brown.Deaconess Angelia Coard and Family.
To the family of Mrs. Dorothy H. Brown. I am truly saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs. Brown. May God continue to shower you with love and blessings. Stay strong in his name.
I remember stories of the laughter Mrs. Brown, my aunt (Leola C Caison), and my mother (Rosabell C Jones) had as they went to and from St. John Baptist Church. I imagine they are laughing and singing up there, having a great time. 🙏🏽🙏🏽RIP
Dearest Angela & Family:.
Thinking of you at a time such as this.
Knowing your Mother for the many years that I knew her, I was struck by her warmth & beautiful spirit that exuded confidence in who she was and whose she was.
In her departure, I think Rev. 2:10 speaks of her as it extols, “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life”
She has now arrived in the sweet by and by and shall meet her loved ones on that beautiful shore!
To God be the Glory!
Lovingly submitted, MLK
To the family of the late Mrs. Dorothy Henderson Brown: I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for God to comfort your heavy hearts.
To The Brown and Henderson Family:
Pastor Sammy & First Lady Mary Wade, St. John Baptist Church, Hopkins, SC offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of The Late Mrs. Dorothy Henderson Brown. Angela and L’Tanya God will forever blessed the both of you for the loving care of your parents. Your mother is now reunited with the love of her life, the Late Deacon Joe Ellis Brown Sr. We give God the praises and the glory for her life legacy on this earth. Your mother will forever be in your heart and memories. Memories are a Legacy of Love. We as Christian must trust God in all things. The family will be in Pastor Wade and my (Mary) prayer and thoughts. Take your rest Mrs. Dorothy Henderson Brown. Your body now is a new in Christ.
I’m so so sorry for your lost. I know Dot will be missed by many. Angie and Latanya keep your hands in God’s hands and I promise you that everything will be alright. Praying for strength for you guys. God got your backs. Just know the 2 of you did everything that you could. God knew best. Love you guys. Cousin Terri Wright
Our condolences to the Brown family. Memories will last forever. We remember the Brown family from our days at Hopkins High School. The Johnson family (Mrs. Alberta Johnson’s children.
My sincere condolences to the family. Dot was my best friend throughout our days at Allen University, rest in peace friend.
From (Gertrude & late Julius) Murray family of Hopkins: Our sincere condolences To the family of Mrs. Brown. Such a beautiful supportive woman, wife, mother, teacher… May she Rest In Peace! May the peace of God rest, reign and rule in your hearts forevermore.
The Ruff Family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our dear friend and Soror. Now she and your dad are together again. She will always be remembered as a precious pearl and ivy now beyond the wall.
We pray for your continuous strength and will personally contact you soon.
Jimmie (ALPHA) & Doris (AKA) Ruff.
So sorry for your loss of Mrs. Brown. She was a beautiful lady. Her sister, Mrs. Patricia Caldwell is our devoted church member and neighbor.
My condolences to Angela Brown family. We first met when Angela parents took care of her their home. They fell in love with my children.
Mrs Gertrude Moses and the Moses family join with you in your sorry because of the passing of our love one . We will assist wherever we can just let us know.