Mary V. Brown

The late Mary Knight Brown was born on September 17, 1942, in Monroeville, AL, to the late Trenton James and Berda Mae Knight.

Mrs. Brown attended Wainwright Elementary School and graduated from Union High School in 1960. She was one of the first African American women to be hired at Vanity Fair Mills in 1960 at age 18.

Mrs. Brown confessed her life to Jesus Christ at a very early age in the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church where her great grandfather, Daniel Knight Sr., was a licensed pastor. In the process of dedicating her life to Christ, she became a faithful member of service to the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Finchburg, Alabama. She served as the youth choir director for many years. She also served as a faithful, dedicated choir member and deaconess until her health declined.

On August 19, 1961, she married the love of her life, Jimmie Brown. To that union, three children were born.

She is survived by her son and two daughters: Elston T. Brown of Monroeville, AL, Sylvia (Hozell) Montgomery of Montgomery, AL, and VerMonica (Anthony J. Clausell) of Chicago, IL; five grandchildren: Mario Brown of Hardin County, KY, Marco Montgomery of Montgomery, AL, Anissa Montgomery of Montgomery, AL, Alissa Jones of Chicago, IL, and Gerard Jones of Chicago, IL; three great grandchildren: Marcaria, Alaiah, and D’aigene Montgomery of Montgomery, AL.

She also leaves to cherish her memory two sisters: Betty (Aquill, deceased) Abney of Franklin, AL; Andretta January of Monroeville, AL; four brothers: Herbert Knight of Franklin, AL; Lloyd (Gwen) Knight of Monroeville, AL; Larry Knight of Monroeville, AL; six sisters-in-law: (Minnie Mitchell  deceased) of Detroit, MI; Mattie (Eddie, deceased) Munnerlyn of Tensaw, AL; Annie Wiggins of Battle Creek, MI; Fannie Watt of Frisco City, AL; Margaret (Joe) Watson and Bridget Brown both of Monroeville, AL; four  brothers-in-law: Boise Jr. (Lula) Brown of Pensacola, FL; Marvin (Gertude) Brown of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Jefferson (Wanda) Brown of Monroeville, AL; and Willie (Valerie) Brown of Franklin, AL.

Her legacy will continue on through her children, grandchildren, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.