Constance Loretta Brown “Connie” was born April 28th, 1929, at 4732 S. Parkway Chicago, Illinois. “Gran” was born to Lucille Grace and William (“Bill”) Stewart.

As a very young girl, “Grandma Ceil” relocated her family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and settled in the city’s “Garfield District”. Living years off Vliet St; “Mom” walked long blocks to excel in her studies at 4th Street and Lincoln High Schools.

As the 1st born in the “Grace Family”; “Mom” became very close to her Mother, “Grandma Ceil”. Thru-out Mom’s early growing years, even into adulthood; “Grandma Ceil” was & always remained Mom’s ‘Best Friend’. ‘Motherly Love’ between Mother & Daughter was yoked so deep that “Grandma Ceil” vowed NEVER to release her Daughter, for money, to a woman who gifted “Mom” with EVERY dress “Shirley Temple” wore. Showering “Mom” with Gifts; “Grandma Ceil” declined the woman’s offer to put “Mom” up for adoption to offer her every opportunity a girl could dream of; and, take “Mom” away to live with her in California. The “Grace Family” continued to grow and bond together, with joy.

Thru “Grandma Ceil’s” Guidance of Love and Prayer, “Mom” developed into an extrovert, a ‘people-person’. She loved to ‘go’! “Mom” made it a point to attend ALL neighborhood events & gatherings. As a ‘Social Butterfly’, “Mom” would attend events and return home consistently sharing a young girl’s most exciting and adventurous comings & goings of her daily lifestyle; including school interactions, dating relationships and social activities. In “Mom’s” teenage years and early adulthood; she would very excitedly rush home after a dance or party, to share her experience with her Mother. “Mom” would sit up all nite just talking with her Mother; telling her who all was there, what they wore, what was said, what they did, what music was played and what happened during & after the event. “Mom” would eagerly await a response from her Mother, until “Grandma Ceil” would have to tell her: “Ok, “Connie”; now that’s enough! It’s time to lay down and go to sleep. You can tell me more about it tomorrow”. (LOL)

As a young woman; “Mom” gained special interest in our U.S. Military, that she recalled as: “The Boys In Uniform”, which was prior to World War II. Living in such close proximity to the “Great Lakes Naval Base”; “Mom” made it a weekend practice to connect with the “Popeyes” at Movie Theatres, dances, etc. Socially-connected; “Mom” would routinely invite ALL of the ‘Servicemen’ that she met back home with her, for a ‘Home-Cooked Meal’. “Grandma Ceil” would sternly remind “Mom” that their meager bounty was barely enough to sustain themselves; moreso, an additional group of hungry young boys! “Grandma Ceil” would ask “Mom” NOT to surprise her with unexpected guests; but, each time “Mom” set out for the day, she’d return with a bunch of young ‘Navy Boys’. As a descendant of a Native-American “Blackfoot Indian”; “Mom” was a very beautiful & vibrant, young girl, infatuated by the uniforms; and, the guys just couldn’t resist! Despite “Grandma Ceil’s” repeated warnings ignored by “Mom”; “Grandma Ceil’s” door & table were ALWAYS open to others; NEVER sending the “Servicemen” away depressed, lonely nor hungry. “Grandma Ceil’s” Home was their ‘home-away-from-home!’ “Mom” would entertain the guys with fun-filled visits to neighborhood ‘hot spots’ for dances, tours around MKE, Washington Park (City Zoo) and beyond.

“Mom” recalled one day while sitting in a ‘Movie Theatre’ with the guys, the movie Screening was interrupted with a ‘National Announcement’ that stated: “The Japanese Just Bombed Pearl Harbor!” Never having heard of “Pearl Harbor”; ALL sat shocked and confused as to ‘where this Harbor place was?’ The ‘Servicemen’ were immediately ordered and reported back to the ‘Naval Base’. “Mom” went home to tell her Mother what had happened; NEVER envisioning that one day she would be a relocated “Wahine”, living in Waikiki”, only a few miles from “Pearl Harbor”, her ‘Paradise Island Of Hawaii’, with her ‘Loving Husband’ of 50yrs, “Clifford Brown”.

As the ‘Eldest Child’ in the Family; “Mom” became a surrogate Mother to her (6) Siblings, helping “Grandma Ceil” raise her Family Of (7). “Mom’s” mark on her Siblings still raises many fond and funny tales and jokes that bond them as a ‘Family Unit’.

“Mom” was united in ‘Holy Matrimony’ to “Clifford Brown” on December 8th, 1956, in Springfield, Illinois, with “Dad’s” parental witnesses “Henry Willis” and “Mattie Mae Brown”.

From that “Holy Union”; GOD Blessed them with seven children: (4) Daughters and (3) Sons. ‘Blessed’ Cynthia Renee Boyd, Denise (“Dolly”) Marie Thomas (Vernon), Gail Yvonne O’Neil, Clifford Lynn Brown, Stewart Darryl Brown, Robert (“Bobby”) Anthony Brown and Karen Shavonne Brown.

Carrying on our “Brown Legacy” are: (9) Grandchildren: Shawn Bryson, ‘Blessed’ Steven Morris, Damita Boyd, Brian McDowell, Charlotte Gunn (GA), Robyn Brown, Clifford T Brown, Myron Brown (FL) and Katrina Brown (AZ).

GOD gifts our next generations with: (18) Great-Grandchildren and (11) Great Great-Grandchildren.

With an expanding family; “Mom & Dad”; purchased a single-family home at: 2977 N. 18th Street. Homeowners for over 50yrs; this is where the roots of the “Brown Family” Life Journey flourished. As a proud couple and one of the 1st African-American Families in a neighborhood historically founded by ‘German Immigrants’; it is now known for it’s rich “Black History” and vibrant community atmosphere. This “North Division” District is where “Mom & Dad” worked very hard to provide a full life for the “Brown Family” with the privilege of ‘New Cadillac Cars’ for use on ‘Annual Family Vacations’, College Educations and Hospitality for ‘Out-Of-Town’ Visitors. “The Brown’s Home” became the ‘Gathering Place” in the Neighborhood. The “Brown Children” attended nearby “Hopkins Street School”, now an active Partner of Hephatha Church. Appreciating the rewards of a quality education; “Mom” served as an Educator at: 21st Street School, where the “Brown Children” attended.

“Mom” possessed a strong devotion to ALL her extended family. “Mom” claimed roots with “Aunt Aldine” of the “Galesburg & Peoria, IL Clan”, as her Bloodline, with much Love & pride. Yet; as a companion; “Mom” supported “Dad” to serve as proud ‘Founders’ of the “Brown Family Reunion Organization”. In this widened circle; “Mom” treasured her (In-Law) ‘Sisters Of Springfield, IL’, with great love, admiration and respect!

Both Parents coming from ‘Spiritual Families’; “Mom & Dad” professed Christ at very early ages. “Mom & Dad” joined Hephatha Ev Lutheran Church over 50yrs ago. Hephatha; reflecting the complexity of the neighborhood, was originally established as a German-descendant Parish. Exemplifying great pride in our “Black Heritage” during the “Civil Rights Movement”; “Mom & Dad” changed the ‘Color of the Congregation’ by guiding their ‘flock of children’ onto “Holy Ground”, becoming actively engaged in the Spiritual Life and Social Activism within the Community. “Dad” spear-heading the ‘Gospel’ direction of the Church while “Mom” embraced the honor of being an ‘Elder Woman of the Church’. As a symbol of the “Brown’s Christian Legacy”; we show dedication and commitment to live GOD’s ‘Commands of Humanity’ by embracing our adopted African Daughter, “Bahafta” and her family from ’Ethiopia’. “Mom” loved to share coffee with her. (“Coffee Connie”?)

Living Life To The Fullest; “Mom & Dad” filled our lives with extensive travel. Believing in family; “Gran” knew the importance of keeping everyone together, with “Mom” embracing & inviting ALL the ‘Neighborhood Kids’ to accompany us on our “Family Vacations!”

In an effort to provide the very best and extraordinary benefits for our “Brown Family” during lean & difficult times thru-out the years; “Mom” served diligently as a Federal Employee for the U.S. Postal Service. “Mom” Retired after 21yrs of Service. “Dad” was highly-regarded as a trusted Employee by President, E.B. Smith of A.O. Smith Corp. “Dad” Retired after 32yrs of Service.

Tracing the “Footprints of their Life Journey”; “Mom & Dad” embraced the “State of Hawaii” as Residents, with much “ALOHA”, for 15yrs. Their return to the ‘Mainland’ was only prompted by the love of their children. “Mom” missed the babies! She’d ALWAYS ask: “How’s those girls doing?” After leaving ‘The Rock’ and crossing the ‘Pond to the States’; husband, “Clifford Brown”, was gifted his ‘Heavenly Wings’ on January 16th, 2015. May our “Beloved Coua” Rest In Heavenly Peace Forever! Amen.

In Loving Memory of “Dad”; ‘Sugarpuddin’ survived his ‘Passing’ by their shared interests in Traveling, Bowling, Cruises, Casinos, Bingo and Family Gatherings.

Our “Beloved Mother” was anointed her ‘Heavenly Wings’ on June 1st, 2025. May “Mom” Rest In Heaven Eternally! Amen.

As a ‘Cherished Mom’, Gran” was loved by a ‘Clan of Family’ from: Galesburg and Springfield, Illinois; and thru-out the 50 U.S. States. “Mom’s Heart” was enormous and reached many!”

“Connie” leaves Siblings to cherish her memory: Joyce Townsend (Jerome), Celestine Grace, Ronald Grace (Inez), Linda Reynolds (Byron). Gone; but, not forgotten: Sideena Holt (George) and Winona Jackson.

Funeral arrangements include 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM visitation and 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM service at Hephatha Lutheran Church, 1720 West Locust Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and 1:00 PM committal at Union Cemetery, 3175 North Teutonia Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.