Valerie Leola Brown

From an early age, Val made her presence known by the no-nonsense manner in which she spoke and how she commanded respect wherever she ventured. As a teenager, Val dressed to impress, and her combination of wit and intellect enabled her to land her first summer job as a bank teller. The employees at the bank assumed she was older due to her mature demeanor. She saved up enough money to buy vinyl records and fashionable clothes so she could return to school and go to dance parties in style. Her proficiency in math and skills learned at the bank developed into bookkeeping skills utilized throughout her life.

Val met and married the late Kenneth Michael Hanshaw, and they moved to his hometown of Biloxi, Mississippi, where he was stationed in the United States Air Force. They had two children: Ezmone and Veretta. Shortly thereafter, when she returned to Jamaica, New York to raise her children as a single parent, she was re-acquainted with childhood friend, Harold Brown, who was the love of her life. They married and remained together until his passing in 2001.

It was not a challenge for Val to express her opinions effectively or to speak her mind. She was insightful in the areas of religion, politics and social injustices, and would debate anyone who could handle her exposing the flaws in their arguments. Children and young adults listened when she spoke: they respected her straight-talk and for caring enough to tell them what they needed to hear. She instilled the importance of a good education in her children as well as good morals and values.

Val and Harold moved to sunny Orlando, Florida, where they enjoyed spending time with Ezmone, his late wife, Wilma, and their family along with Val’s younger sister, Bonita, and her family. She also enjoyed a good joke, watching blockbuster movies and TV series, taking pictures of her family and putting them proudly on display, chocolate-on-chocolate cake, dancing and listening to various types of music such as Motown, Disco and Rock, playing Bingo, going to Florida theme parks with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and collecting miniature dollhouse furniture and foods.

She loved her family and passed along many childhood stories and cherished family memories to be told and retold to future generations. She once wrote,

“Being a mother is rewarding…but being a

grandmother is an honor!!!”

Valerie found peace on July 8, 2022, after a valiant battle with cancer. Niece, Selena “Lovey”, cared for her over the years with grace and compassion. Val is now reunited with her husband, Harold, father, Hiram, and brothers, Hiram and Ronald.

She leaves to cherish her memory: mother, Gladys, son, Ezmone, daughter, Veretta (Henry), four sisters, Veretta, Vanessa, Bonita and Lisa, one uncle, Arthur (Debbie), mother-in-law, Julia and family, grandchildren, Michael, Jasmine, Henry, Christopher and Taronda, seven great-grandchildren, nine nieces and nephews, twelve great-nieces and nephews, one great-great-niece, a host of cousins, and dear friends.

Acknowledgement

The Family of Valerie Leola Brown would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for the tremendous outpour of love, prayers and support. Thank you, all!

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Valerie's memory may be made to Orlando Health Cancer Institute, 52 West Underwood Street, Orlando, Florida 32806 US.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.frederick-fh.com for the Brown family.