Naomi Conner Brown was born on August 25, 1931 in Dundee, MS to the late Mattie O. Smith and Jimmy Conner. Naomi was raised by her mother and Step-Father Jefferson Shannon in Dundee, MS along with seven of her nine siblings from that union. Naomi also had loving relationships with her eight siblings from her biological father Jimmy Conner. During her childhood, Naomi developed a love for cooking and baking as she cooked along side her mother which later evolved into a career for Naomi.
On October 28, 1953, Naomi united with Floyd Brown Sr. in holy matrimony and to this union five children were born: Cynthia, Maurice Sr., Beverley, Floyd Jr., and Teresina Renee. Naomi was a homemaker until her youngest child began grade school. At that time Naomi began a career doing what she loved in Food Services with Gary Community Schools until her retirement in 1998. Through that career, Naomi excelled in her career eventually managing her Food Service Team at Horace Mann High School. She was loved by the students, teachers and all the staff alike. She developed life long friendships and made a huge impact on the community and the children that she served due to her kind and gentle spirit. Naomi was well known throughout the community for her delicious baked goods which she baked with love.
Naomi professed her love for Christ at an early age and reaffirmed her faith in later years. In 1953, Naomi and Floyd Sr. relocated to Gary, IN where Naomi would serve at of few different congregations throughout her sixty six year residency. Naomi was a very active congregation member and served on various committees and boards. Her last church home in Gary prior to relocating to Athens, TX in 2019 was Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Hollis Manna. While in Athens, Naomi quickly became a member of Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Leonard Jackson where she attended until her passing.
Naomi enjoyed over twenty five years of retirement spending time with her siblings, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as well as leisurely baking and traveling. She was affectionately known to those that loved her as Mama Brown, Grams, Nae, Granny, and Big Sis. She was easy to love and had an infectious smile and personality. Naomi never met a stranger and made everyone feel welcomed.
Naomi was called home to be with the Heavenly Father on October 12, 2024 at home surrounded by her loving family. Prior to her transition, Naomi was so happy to have her great-granddaughter Skylar Martin assist with her caregiving. Naomi was proceeded in death by her husband Floyd Brown Sr.; son Maurice Brown Sr.; two daughters Teresina Merriweather and Cynthia Brown; two grandsons Marcell Alexander and Maurice Brown Jr.; great-granddaughter Ce’ Azia Brown; and many siblings. Naomi leaves behind to cherish her sweet memories two children Beverley (Charles) Jenkins of Athens, TX and Floyd (Tracy) Brown Jr. of Merrillville, IN; ten grandchildren LaShonda (Justin) Chambers of Roswell, GA, Tiane Alexander, Montrell Brown, Chyanne Alexander, Marquice Brown all of Milwaukee, WI, Ashleigh Brown of Merrillville, IN, Jillian (George) Wright of Phoenix, AZ, William Brown of Nashville, TN, Malcolm Holmes of Lafayette, IN, and Jontrell Brown of Houston, TX; twenty eight great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; siblings Elma Fay Jefferson of Greenville, MS, Cassandra Pryor of Aurora, IL, Don (Cecilia) Shannon of Griffin, GA, Barbara Madison of Bellwood, IL, Joe Conner, Mae Margaret (Walter) Johnson, Marveline (Jessie) Streeter, and Ronald Conner all of Clarksdale, MS; and a host of other relatives, family, and friends.
Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday,11:00 am , October 26, 2024 at Smith Bizzell & Warner Funeral Home, 4209 Grant Street, Gary, Indiana.
On October 28, 1953, Naomi united with Floyd Brown Sr. in holy matrimony and to this union five children were born: Cynthia, Maurice Sr., Beverley, Floyd Jr., and Teresina Renee. Naomi was a homemaker until her youngest child began grade school. At that time Naomi began a career doing what she loved in Food Services with Gary Community Schools until her retirement in 1998. Through that career, Naomi excelled in her career eventually managing her Food Service Team at Horace Mann High School. She was loved by the students, teachers and all the staff alike. She developed life long friendships and made a huge impact on the community and the children that she served due to her kind and gentle spirit. Naomi was well known throughout the community for her delicious baked goods which she baked with love.
Naomi professed her love for Christ at an early age and reaffirmed her faith in later years. In 1953, Naomi and Floyd Sr. relocated to Gary, IN where Naomi would serve at of few different congregations throughout her sixty six year residency. Naomi was a very active congregation member and served on various committees and boards. Her last church home in Gary prior to relocating to Athens, TX in 2019 was Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Hollis Manna. While in Athens, Naomi quickly became a member of Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Leonard Jackson where she attended until her passing.
Naomi enjoyed over twenty five years of retirement spending time with her siblings, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as well as leisurely baking and traveling. She was affectionately known to those that loved her as Mama Brown, Grams, Nae, Granny, and Big Sis. She was easy to love and had an infectious smile and personality. Naomi never met a stranger and made everyone feel welcomed.
Naomi was called home to be with the Heavenly Father on October 12, 2024 at home surrounded by her loving family. Prior to her transition, Naomi was so happy to have her great-granddaughter Skylar Martin assist with her caregiving. Naomi was proceeded in death by her husband Floyd Brown Sr.; son Maurice Brown Sr.; two daughters Teresina Merriweather and Cynthia Brown; two grandsons Marcell Alexander and Maurice Brown Jr.; great-granddaughter Ce’ Azia Brown; and many siblings. Naomi leaves behind to cherish her sweet memories two children Beverley (Charles) Jenkins of Athens, TX and Floyd (Tracy) Brown Jr. of Merrillville, IN; ten grandchildren LaShonda (Justin) Chambers of Roswell, GA, Tiane Alexander, Montrell Brown, Chyanne Alexander, Marquice Brown all of Milwaukee, WI, Ashleigh Brown of Merrillville, IN, Jillian (George) Wright of Phoenix, AZ, William Brown of Nashville, TN, Malcolm Holmes of Lafayette, IN, and Jontrell Brown of Houston, TX; twenty eight great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; siblings Elma Fay Jefferson of Greenville, MS, Cassandra Pryor of Aurora, IL, Don (Cecilia) Shannon of Griffin, GA, Barbara Madison of Bellwood, IL, Joe Conner, Mae Margaret (Walter) Johnson, Marveline (Jessie) Streeter, and Ronald Conner all of Clarksdale, MS; and a host of other relatives, family, and friends.
Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday,11:00 am , October 26, 2024 at Smith Bizzell & Warner Funeral Home, 4209 Grant Street, Gary, Indiana.
