Mirriam LaJoyce Brown

Mirriam was married in 1967 to Marshall A Brown. They divorced in 1980. She leaves two children Pamela Brown Neal, Marshall (Man) Alexander Brown II, four grandchildren Marshall III (Tre’), Jackson, William and Melanie; one brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Mammie Brooks, three nephews: Gerald II, Derrick, Marcus and one great-niece Kayla, along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.

Mirriam was born on January 16, 1947 in Los Angeles, California to the late Willie E. Brooks Jr. “Junior Brooks” and the late Thelma W. Tucker “Red”. The family lived for a time with Mirriam’s grandparents: Frank “Daddy Frank” and Minnie “Aunt Minnie” Washington. Mirriam would continue to live with her grandparents throughout her early years. This living arrangement cemented strong bonds with the aunts, uncles, and cousins who also lived with Aunt Minnie and Daddy Frank.

Mirriam loved her family. Even when she went away to college and later settled in D.C. She would make it a point to send her children to CA for the summer, so that they would also develop a love for the people that she loved so much, and they did!

While Aunt Minnie sparked Mirriam’s spiritual interests, her mother, Red motivated Mirriam to be resolute in her pursuit of education. Red highly valued education and instilled that in her children and grandchildren.

Upon graduating high school, and encouraged by Red, Mirriam attended Howard University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in 1969. Shortly afterwards she began a very successful civil service career with the General Services Administration as a computer specialist prior to transition over to the Department of Navy as an Information Technology Specialist

Mirriam was a strong woman of faith who deeply loved the Lord. Raised in the Baptist tradition, Mirriam became a born-again Christian at Tried Stone Fire Baptized Holiness Church in Washington, DC in March of 1990. She immediately dedicated her life to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ, volunteering as an usher and altar worker. In November 1992, she became a member of Jericho Baptist Church, presently City of Praise Family Ministries, and a student at Jericho Christian College. While at Jericho, she served with the Correspondence Ministry, People of the Word Ministry and the Children’s Church, teaching second graders.

Upon retirement from federal service in 2003, Mirriam returned to Los Angeles, where she joined the City of Refuge Church, serving on the Intercessory Prayer Team, and as an altar worker. In 2006, she joined the Youth with a Mission (YWAM) ministry and traveled to FIJI, Mexico and the Philippines on several outreach mission trips, to share her faith.

Mirriam’s infectious smile and kind heart made all that crossed her path feel like family. Beyond her deep faith and commitment to doing the Lord’s work, Mirriam‘s greatest joy came from spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed family trips with her mother and daughter, dining out with her son and grandchildren, and any opportunity to visit with friends and family.

Some of her many leisure trips included Caribbean cruises; and trips to the Bahamas; Acapulco, Mexico; Maui, HI; Grand Cayman; Israel; Turkey; Disney World, FL; Branson, MO; Cozumel, Mexico; and every country in Western Europe with the exceptions of Scotland and Portugal.

Mirriam left an incredible legacy of love, nurturing, academic excellence, and spiritual service and commitment for her children and grandchildren. Her loss has created a void that will only be assuaged when “the last enemy, death is to be brought to nothing.” – 1 Cor. 15:26