Obituary for Sandra Michelle Brown
Faithful, Fearless, Forceful, Friendly. Overcomer, Prayer Warrior, Giver, Encourager, Servant. Such are just a few words to describe the life, personality, and character of Sandra Michelle Ervin Brown. A powerful presence in the lives of all who knew her, Missionary Brown’s love of life didn’t come to an end with her death. As a faithful follower of Christ, she is just beginning to live. Missionary Brown was born Monday, September 1, 1958, in Mobile, Alabama. On Sunday, January 24, 2021, our sovereign God released her from this fallen world of pain and suffering to her eternal home of healing and rest.
Sandy, as she was more affectionately called, was a life-long resident of Prichard, living primarily in Eight Mile. She matriculated through the Mobile County Public School System, graduating from Mattie T. Blount High School, Class of 1976. Sandy took advantage of numerous work opportunities throughout her life, but her beloved and primary one was that of a Professional Homemaker to her family. She kept an immaculate home and loved cooking three meals a day for her “MR.” Her grandchildren unequivocally adored her, often preferring “Grandma” and “Paw Paw” over their parents. The feeling was mutual.
Equally and more important to Sandy was her love for God and the visible Church. She was raised from birth until adulthood as a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Prichard, having been baptized at the age of seven. There, her Christian foundation was laid to eventually become a missionary, licensed and certified in 2007 by The Right Reverend Ronald Allen, Sr., Revelation Churches of God in Christ, Inc., Wyandanch, New York. Sandy also earned certificates in Outreach Ministry, Evangelism, and Ministry Gifts. At Macedonia, she sang in the choir; served as a youth usher; taught Sunday school; was a Sunbeam, a YWA (Young Women’s Auxiliary), and an E. L. White Seminary student; and was an active participant in a host of ministries locally, regionally, and state-wide. She served whomever, wherever, whenever. Her passion was for senior citizens and the elderly, and she often talked about opening a safe harbor for that age group. As an overcomer of many of life’s obstacles and choices—and knowing the pain of the loss of a child—she fearlessly and forcefully encouraged others during their times of hardship and grief. Her faith was unwavering. Sandy exhibited that same unwavering faith, tenacity of service, and encouragement as a current member of Bethel Temple Ministry. Our hearts are truly, truly broken.
Sandy was preceded in death by her son, Treveor Holcomb; sister, Cathy Scruggs Porter; grandparents, Charlie and Monetta Horn; aunts, Arnetta Horn Sharp and Juanita Allen; and uncle, Theotis Horn. Feeling the painful void of her passing are her devotedly loving husband of 30 years, Nathaniel, and her daughter, Turkessa (James) King (Mobile); stepson, Mikell (Angela) Jones; sisters, Cherlyn (Wilbert) McCann (Oak Park, MI) and Pamela (Pad) Brown (Montgomery); two grandchildren whom she absolutely cherished, adored, and lavished with love, Christopher and Chrissa King (Mobile); aunt, Josephine (Tom) Grayson (Huntsville); uncle, Herbert Allen (Milwaukee, WI); sisters-in-law, Betty Caver (Mobile), Freddie Mae (Robert) Montgomery (Prichard), and Laura (Eldred) Love (Whistler); brother-in-law, Charlie (Arnett) McCants (Mobile); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, and special friends. We all will treasure our memories of her and with her forever.
Sandy, as she was more affectionately called, was a life-long resident of Prichard, living primarily in Eight Mile. She matriculated through the Mobile County Public School System, graduating from Mattie T. Blount High School, Class of 1976. Sandy took advantage of numerous work opportunities throughout her life, but her beloved and primary one was that of a Professional Homemaker to her family. She kept an immaculate home and loved cooking three meals a day for her “MR.” Her grandchildren unequivocally adored her, often preferring “Grandma” and “Paw Paw” over their parents. The feeling was mutual.
Equally and more important to Sandy was her love for God and the visible Church. She was raised from birth until adulthood as a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Prichard, having been baptized at the age of seven. There, her Christian foundation was laid to eventually become a missionary, licensed and certified in 2007 by The Right Reverend Ronald Allen, Sr., Revelation Churches of God in Christ, Inc., Wyandanch, New York. Sandy also earned certificates in Outreach Ministry, Evangelism, and Ministry Gifts. At Macedonia, she sang in the choir; served as a youth usher; taught Sunday school; was a Sunbeam, a YWA (Young Women’s Auxiliary), and an E. L. White Seminary student; and was an active participant in a host of ministries locally, regionally, and state-wide. She served whomever, wherever, whenever. Her passion was for senior citizens and the elderly, and she often talked about opening a safe harbor for that age group. As an overcomer of many of life’s obstacles and choices—and knowing the pain of the loss of a child—she fearlessly and forcefully encouraged others during their times of hardship and grief. Her faith was unwavering. Sandy exhibited that same unwavering faith, tenacity of service, and encouragement as a current member of Bethel Temple Ministry. Our hearts are truly, truly broken.
Sandy was preceded in death by her son, Treveor Holcomb; sister, Cathy Scruggs Porter; grandparents, Charlie and Monetta Horn; aunts, Arnetta Horn Sharp and Juanita Allen; and uncle, Theotis Horn. Feeling the painful void of her passing are her devotedly loving husband of 30 years, Nathaniel, and her daughter, Turkessa (James) King (Mobile); stepson, Mikell (Angela) Jones; sisters, Cherlyn (Wilbert) McCann (Oak Park, MI) and Pamela (Pad) Brown (Montgomery); two grandchildren whom she absolutely cherished, adored, and lavished with love, Christopher and Chrissa King (Mobile); aunt, Josephine (Tom) Grayson (Huntsville); uncle, Herbert Allen (Milwaukee, WI); sisters-in-law, Betty Caver (Mobile), Freddie Mae (Robert) Montgomery (Prichard), and Laura (Eldred) Love (Whistler); brother-in-law, Charlie (Arnett) McCants (Mobile); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, and special friends. We all will treasure our memories of her and with her forever.