Jeroleen Brown

Jeroleen “Jerry” Brown
1926-2014

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. [The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.] She stretcheth out her hand to the poor, yes she reacheth forth her hands to the needy- Proverbs 31:10,20

Jeroleen ''Jerry'' Brown was born on January 22, 1926 to George and Mamie Browning in Palatka, Florida. Jerry had two siblings, George Browning, Jr., retired Army Medical Corpsman and Kathleen Browning-Greene, retired elementary school principal (both deceased). Jerry was educated in the Palatka Public Schools, and graduated Valedictorian from Central Academy High School in 1942. Jerry received a scholarship to continue her education at the Scarboro School of Business, in Orlando, Florida and graduated in 1944. Two years later, Jerry married the love of her life LeRoy Brown, on December 28, 1946, in Orlando, Florida. To their delight, from their union, on July 13,1953 Sharon their only child was born. As a testament to the strength and bliss of their union, Jerry and LeRoy celebrated fifty years of marriage on December 28, 1996.

Jerry and LeRoy came to White Plains to visit family, and loved the area so much, that they made a decision to return to Orlando, pack their belongings, and move to White Plains. Jerry would never look back, as she remained a resident of White Plains for sixty-four years. Upon moving to White Plains, Jerry stated to Leroy, "I'm going to own a home on the top of Battle Hill." In 1965, Jerry, LeRoy, and Sharon, moved from the Winbrook Housing Project, into their new home on Lincoln Avenue. It was there where Jerry lived on the top of Battle Hill for forty-nine years.

Jerry worked as a secretary for several years at County Optical in White Plains. She made a decision to become a stay home mom until her daughter Sharon graduated from high school. After Sharon went to college Jerry began her career as a marketing researcher at Kraft General Foods in White Plains. After a long and rewarding career she happily retired and continued to care for her mother.

Jerry joined Bethel Baptist Church, where she remained a faithful member for fifty-nine years. As a member, Jerry became actively involved with the Brownies and Girl Scouts, where she became a Troop Leader, and eventually sat on its Board of Directors. It wasn't long before Jerry had established a reputation for helping others; this was made most evident when it came to her true passion, cooking for those in need. In particular, the sick and shut-in, and friends who had lost love ones. She was very talented and gifted with her hands. She was a seamstress, did upholstery and interior decorating.

Jerry was so vibrantly alive, graced with receptive capacities to be enriched by and responsive to her neighbor's suffering, she grew to a maturity far beyond usual. She had mastered the art of living. Jerry lived life to the fullest and herself became a work of art - in the words of Saint Paul "for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). The Grand Creator chose Jerry to beautify with: a youthful love for life; a warm gentle and forgiving spirit; the spirit of counsel, encouragement and unconditional love.

Everyone who met and knew her loved her and that beautiful smile. Jerry was an angel in life now she is an angel in heaven.

Jerry was preceded in death by her husband LeRoy Brown. She is survived by her daughter Sharon Denise Burton and husband Albert Burton, III of White Plains, NY; two beloved grandsons David Michael Burton and Joel Albert Burton (deceased); four cousins: Eva Gumbs (Selvin) New Jersey, Jimmie Wiggins (Donald) Deltona, Fl., Wanda Henderson, Atlanta, Ga., Henrifaye Davidson (Daryl) Phenix City, Al., niece, Linda Earle (George) Mt. Vernon, N.Y.; two nephews Michael Browning (Gloria) California and Joseph D. Greene (Beverly) Palatka, Fl. and a host of relatives.

A special acknowledgement to Jerry's dearest friends. They were like close sisters: Beatrice Greene, White Plains, N.Y. and Ethelreda Burton, Decatur, GA.




The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that the Brown/Burton family entrusted the care of their loved one to us, and that they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the Brown/Burton Family during their time of bereavement.