Dr. Norma Jean Whitted Browder

DR. NORMA J. BROWDER

October 29, 1939-January 25, 2023

As sunset fell on Wednesday January 25, 2023, Dr. Norma Jeanne Browder, 83, of Washington DC quietly and peacefully transitioned to her heavenly home after a lengthy illness. Having served her family and mankind as a scientist with compassion, she fulfilled God’s divine purpose. She was born in Melbourne, Florida on October 29, 1939, to the late Robert Whitted and Ruby Lee Whitted and was the oldest of nine children. She enjoyed a full life and completed her life’s journey as detailed in the scriptures in Psalm 90: 10 and 12: “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty” and “Teach us to number our days that we may apply a heart of wisdom.”

Dr. Browder valued her family and treasured the time that she spent with them. She and her late husband were blessed with twins, Clarke and Robin. Her children along with her four grandchildren brought her unspeakable joy and she was very proud of their accomplishments. Every Saturday night for forty years, she and her late husband enjoyed attending the movies and having dinner as a family. She loved going to the beach with her husband, children and grandchildren and enjoyed reading, practicing Tai Chi and yoga. She was a girl scout troop leader and was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated for 18 years. Dr. Browder loved to sing and earned several scholarships to college as a result of her singing talents. She taught bible study at the Rhema Christian Center bible college and sang in the senior choir for several years. Her four grandchildren and two great grandchildren were her “bundles of joy” and the “apple of her eye.”

Dr. Browder had a quest for knowledge and was a lifelong learner. She excelled academically and enjoyed a fruitful career. Dr. Browder attended the University of Connecticut where she graduated in 1962 with a degree in Zoology and Physiology and was the first student to receive the Monsignor Murphy Award from the AFL-CIO. Following graduation, she worked as a researcher at Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute in New York. She received a National Health Foundation Fellowship to attend Medical School at Howard University. While attending Howard University Medical School, she met Dr. Donald C. Browder of Columbus, Ohio who would become her husband of 55 years. Upon graduation from Howard University School of Medicine, Dr. Browder enjoyed an illustrious career as a Toxicologist for the Food and Drug Administration for over 25 years. She continued her career with Otsuka Pharmaceuticals until her retirement after 25 years of service.

Dr. Browder is predeceased by her husband Dr. Donald C. Browder; her parents Robert and Ruby Whitted; her siblings Marjorie Martin, Geraldine Fewell, Joan Early, Kevin Whitted and Ronald Whitted. Dr. Browder is survived by her two children, Clark K. Browder and Robin T. Browder, Esq.: her four grandchildren, Clark A. Browder, Lauren D. Browder, Daniel Swinson, Camille Zoe Swinson and her two great grandchildren Emmanuel Browder and Karma Browder. She is also survived by her sisters Rachelle Mitchell of Medford, Connecticut and Karen Jonson of Charlotte, NC. And a host of nieces and nephews.

The homegoing service for Dr. Norma Jeanne Browder will be held Monday February 13, 2023, at Fort Lincoln Cemetery and Funeral Home located at 3401 Bladensburg Road, Brentwood, Maryland. Visitation at 12:30pm, Funeral 1:30pm in the Madison Room, Fort Lincoln Funeral Home. Interment in Fort Lincoln Cemetery and Repast to follow.