Frances A. Brown

Frances A. Brown was born on September 6, 1916 in Ever-green, Alabama to the late Reverend J.C. and Nettie Arm-strong. Frances was the younger of two daughters, the eldest was Anna Mae Armstrong. Frances was brought to Cincinnati as an infant. Her parents joined St. John AME Zion Church which was then located at Barr and Mound Streets in Cincinnati. Frances was brought up and joined the church as a child. Her father, Reverend Armstrong, was later sent to pastor St. Paul AME Zion Church located in Covington, Kentucky, where Frances and her sister, Anna Mae was taken with their parents. After two years of service, Reverend Armstrong passed away and Frances returned to Cincinnati with her mother and sister to rejoin St. John. Frances’ mother, Nettie and sister, Anna Mae preceded her in death.
In 1958, St. John left the Barr and Mound Streets and relocated to its current location on Forest Avenue in Avon-dale. Frances continued to be very active in all church activities well into her adulthood. She was among the initial members of Stewardess Board #4 in the position of secretary. She was secretary of the church for well over 40 years, secretary of the General Claims Committee and was secretary of the Quarterly Conference for many years. Frances was also secretary to the Board of Trustees and a Deaconess until she retired.
Frances was united in holy wedlock to the late Cornelius (Neil) Brown. To this union were born three loving sons, Ronald and Roger (aka Baha Mahdi), both preceding her in death, and her only living son, Jerry.
Frances was a graduate of Woodward High School in Cincinnati, and later attended evening classes at the University of Cincinnati. Professionally, Frances was a medical assistant for over 40 years to the late Dr. C.S. Bassette, who was the first African-American to practice obstetrics and gynecology in Cincinnati. After retirement, Frances returned to the work-place on a part-time basis and was employed by the Senior Community Service Employment Project in Cincinnati. It was through this program, Frances was assigned to work as an administrative assistant, and was consequently joined in employment with her son, Jerry at the United Way of Greater Cincinnati.
Frances departed this life on July 17, 2014. She leaves us behind as we celebrate her homecoming with our Father in Heaven…leaving behind her son, Jerry; special friend, Anita Foxx; grandchildren, Monet and Neil; loving cousins, Dorothy Harris and Barbara Worsham; as well as a host of other rela-tions and friends.