Martha Pauline Brown

Martha Pauline Brown, daughter of the late Minister Roscoe Bell and Hazel Bell, was born on September 5, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland. She departed this life peacefully on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

 Granny, as she was affectionately known, completed her education in the Baltimore City Public School System and attended - Carver Vocational Technical High School, where she studied fashion design and garment making. 

 She worked in environmental services at University of Maryland Hospital for a significant time. However, her life’s work and greatest role was matriarch of her family. Martha dedicated her life to nurturing and curating her family. She retired early from University of Maryland to look after her grandchildren and later her great grandchildren. Many of her grandchildren recall being far ahead of their peers because “Granny taught me that when I was like two”. She was not only a grandmother but a teacher, a mentor, a homemaker, a confidant, a seamstress, and a walking talking example of God’s love and grace. 

 Martha met and made numerous friends wherever she went, she will be sincerely missed by all who knew her. She was truly devoted to her children and her family. She loved playing cards, cooking, singing, watching movies (which she rarely stayed awake for), and being of service to her family of friends. Martha taught everyone around her the value of service to others and hospitality. She was mostly quiet and wise, but somehow also very humorous and quick witted. 

She was preceded in death by her brothers David, Paul, and Phillip, sister Naomi, daughters Shormon Brown and Valerie Johnson, and her granddaughter Tahara Brown. 

 Martha leaves to cherish her memories: Siblings Ruth Brand, Deborah Bell, Harvey Ali, sisters in-love, Geraldine Bell and Phyllis Ali, one son, Allen Brown (Paulette), two daughters, LaVerne Matthews (Carlton) and Pamela Brown, niece/bonus daughter, Donna Jowers (Carey) grandchildren, Kevin Little (Antonett), Aisha Hayes, Angelique Herbert, KatoriaTru (Brian), Mark Herbert (Brittany), Rishard Brown, Syreeka Baird (Elijah), Shante Lyles, and Cameron Brown and a host of nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, family and friends.