A Sketch of Naomi Brown (Highlights of a Love Story)
Mrs. Naomi Green Brown, 82 years old, was born on January 6, 1939 to the late Jessie and Benjamin Green. She transitioned to glory on November 19, 2021. She grew up in the Taylors Community of Columbia, South Carolina, during the tail end of our nation’s Great Depression. She often quoted the Poet Langston Hughes “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” Thanks to the grace of God, a stairwell is never a final destination it’s simply a means to climb. Naomi Brown’s final destination, on this earth included a loving husband, a loving community of friends, and a loving family. She was a devoted and loving mother of seven children, and multitudes of others she loved as extended family.
The Loving Husband
Naomi Brown fell in love as a teenager at Booker T. Washington High School, and ended up marrying her high school sweetheart, the late Clyde E. Brown, Sr. As a match made in heaven, they both pooled what little resources they had and started a journey that would last over 64 years. They never knew a day without one another and never a moment without having each other’s back. They truly became one at the start of their journey, and grew even stronger as years progressed. Neither could bear the thought of not being by one another’s side (62 days between their transitions).
The Loving Community
Much like her husband, Naomi Brown, absolutely loved her community and her broad circle of friends! She too was one of the original members of Northminster Presbyterian Church; a church she attended for over 50 years. She loved singing on the choir with great friends like Mrs. Vivian Baker, Mrs. Bettie Glymph, and countless others. She also loved fellowship with her close neighbors on Broomfield Street as well as neighbors throughout the Greenview Community: Mrs. Bobbie Myers and family, Mrs. Merritt Reid, the Benson Family, the Stephens Family, the Oree Family, and Mrs. Marlene Walker along with many others—just to name a few. Naomi Brown always enjoyed the warmth of being with her loving classmates of Booker T. Washington High School, to include Mrs. Minnie Johnson of Orangeburg. Her love for community extended well beyond her personal circles and into the lives of those she viewed as family like; the lovely ladies of Alpha Xi Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. They were her extended line of daughters. She also loved the Brothers of Xi Psi Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. as her extended line of sons. Other extended relationships included: Ms. Barbara Dotson and members of the Blue-Ribbon Taxi Company, members of the Southern Bell Telephone Company (now Bell South), Coach Van McCloud, Mrs. Pamela Goodwine-Glover, Colonel (Ret.) Matthew B. Coleman, Mr. Stanley Porter, Ms. Viola Robinson Faust, and many more all of whom she loved dearly as family. Needless-to-say, this list extends far beyond what time will allow.
The Loving Family
Naomi Brown is celebrated by: a sister-in-law, Mrs. Vivian DeGroat; two brothers, Johnny (Ophelia) Greene, Hayward (Gwenda) Greene; a legacy of seven (7) children, Angela Ford, Clyde Brown, Jr. (Carolyn), Kim Brown Linen, Barry (Kim) Brown, Bonnie Brown, Duane (Crystal) Brown, and Rodney (Darlene) Brown; fifteen (15) grandchildren, Troy, Nathan, Douglas, Marion Linen, Jr., Barry, Jr., Nikia Linen (Tra) Amanda, Naomi, Aja, Jackson, Porter, Bradley, Rachael, Blake, and Carmen; three (3) great-grandchildren, Ma’Kayla, Taytum, and Liam-Jhett; a host of nieces, nephews, and loving neighbors. Naomi Brown’s message to all was clearly demonstrated through her life’s examples: “No one lives on a staircase—Keep moving forward; God has greater things in store for you.”
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mrs. Naomi Greene Brown.
Extending deepest sympathy to the family of Mrs. Naomi Greene Brown. May you be comforted by God’s love and peace.
My Condolences to the Brown family. Praying for you all. May God give you strength and comfort.
Bonnie and family. My condolences to you all. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Just returned from spending time with my granddaughter-so sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Brown-I’ll continue to keep the family in my prayers.
Mrs. Claire Porter
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy to the family of Mrs. Naomi Brown. Our parents (Willie & Louise Jackson) were neighbors of Naomi and Clyde Brown for many years and Naomi’s caring & loving spirit will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her. May the many precious memories of the good times with your mother help to ease the pain at this most difficult of times.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Brown family. We were saddened to hear about your loss and will continue to keep you in prayer. May God cover you and hold you tight in his loving arms as you mourn the passing of your loved one. She will forever be missed. Much love to all of you!
Heartfelt Sympathy to the family of Naomi Brown. We will continue to keep you in our prayers and thoughts. May God continue to wrap his living arms around you. Much Love.
To the family of Mrs. Naomi Brown. My sincere condolences to you. I prayer your strength. Rest in Power sweet lady.
With heartfelt sympathy, caring prayers and loving thoughts for the Brown and Greene families. May God continue to bless and keep you.
Bonnie and family, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
My deepest condolences to the Brown family in our loss of two very special people in the life of Northminster Family in such a short span of time. May God continue to sustain us, heal the pain, and fill the void in our lives.
Losing your mom you loved, is like losing a part of yourself, and you miss who you were with her. Nothing will ever replace your mom, but hopefully, every time you all share a memory, recall a moment of laughter, or find yourselves doing something that remind you of the times spent together; you will feel that part of you again. I pray those precious memories will sustain all of you. Blessings to all you and the rest of your family!
Gladys, Heidi, Maya, and Kia Carter
My deepest condolences to the Brown family in our loss of two very special people in the life of Northminster Family in such a short span of time. May God continue to sustain us, heal the pain, and fill the void in our lives.
Our sincerest condolences to the family of Mrs. Naomi Brown. We pray your memories sustain you and bring you peace and comfort.
Alonzo and Joslynn Smith
My heart goes out to you. Naomi and I were seat mates in the choir. I will truly miss her.
I am so sorry that I am out of town but you will be in my prayers.
Mother Naomi was a treasured member of our Northminster family. Her presence and loving hospitality will be missed. I offer the deepest sympathies and sincere condolences of the Northminster PC(USA) family to the Greene and Brown families.
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one, Mrs. Naomi Brown. I pray that the love of God who has no limits enfolds you in this time of grief. Praying and thinking of you. May God give you and your family strength, peace, and love! “The Lord is nigh unto them that are broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:18 (KJV)
Heartfelt sympathy goes to the family of Mrs. Naomi Greene Brown. I have known the family all of my life. Condolences 🙏 and prayers for the family.
Mrs Naomi I Grew Up As A Child With The Family Her Mom And My Mom Were Cousin My Deepest Condolences To My Family May God Continue To Bless And Comfort You 🙏
Our Mothers have been friends and neighbors for many years. They helped each other in times of need. And shared memories of days gone by. May the Green family and the Brown find peace at this time. GOD bless.
My condolences are extended to the Greene and Brown families. God does not put more on you then you can bear. May God be your peace as you go through these difficult time.
Gwendolyn Fludd
My sisters Kim and Bonnie my heart is broken on the loss of your (our) mother…..I know God will mend it in time..I just want you both to know that I am praying with you and for you and the rest of your (our) siblings during this time of sorrow…May we find peace and comfort in our Lord 🙏