Nellie Agatha Brown

Nellie Agatha Brown, born on April 25, 1940, in Lewis, St. Ann, Jamaica, passed away on July 12, 2024, after a long illness. Nellie, raised in Rose Hall, Jamaica, was the fifth of ten children born to Kathleen Mahlia and Henry George Duncan. Nellie attended Chester Primary School. Because of her love for fashion and dress design, Nellie furthered her education to pursue a career as a seamstress. Nellie married her first love Lowell Brown. Once married, Nellie and Lowell settled in Hampstead, Jamaica. Nellie was a homemaker and shop owner until she emigrated to the United States in August 1970, along with her children Dean, Andrea, and Audley, to join her husband. The Brown family made their home in Detroit, Michigan. Nellie continued her life as a homemaker for a number of years. She eventually sought employment in the health care industry as a Certified Nurse Assistant where she doted on and cared for her patients. After 25 years of service, Nellie retired. As a woman of God, Nellie regularly attended First Baptist Church of Detroit in Southfield, MI. After 23 years of marriage, Nellie divorced Lowell Brown and forged her way as an independent woman. She later moved to Farmington Hills, MI and soon became a member of Farmington Hills Church of God where she remained a member for over 25 years. Throughout her life, Nellie was an avid gardener. She loved roses. She planted and named roses after her children. She was known as the “Flower Lady” in her condo community. She also enjoyed traveling. In addition to her annual, and sometimes biannual, visits to her beloved Jamaica, she visited London, England; Bologna, Italy; Caracas, Venezuela; Grenada, and Curaçao. She had a remarkable talent and passion for cooking. Her dishes riveled any dish on the Cooking Channel or Food Network. She was skilled at making Jamaican specialties; Ackee and Saltfish, brown- stewed chicken and rice & peas, and curried shrimp and rice. Her signature dish was Escovitch Fried Red Snapper fish. You haven’t lived until you’ve had her Red Snapper. The aroma of her home during Thanksgiving and Christmas was heavenly. Nellie had an affinity for classic movies. Her favorite stars included Cary Grant, Roger Moore, Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire, Sidney Poitier, Jean Kelly, and Hattie McDaniel, just to name a few. She adored and appreciated music and loved to dance. Her favorite artist was Tom Jones, and her favorite genre was reggae. Nellie also enjoyed reading, word-search puzzles, and shopping with her sister Peaches. Peaches and Nellie shopped as if they were professional shoppers during their all day shopping sprees. Most of all, Nellie was known for her ability to dress impeccably, stylishly, and fashionably for all occasions. Nellie rarely attended church without wearing one of her favorite hats. Nellie was generous to a fault. If you had a need, she was there to fulfill that need. There was nothing more important to Nellie than family. She was loved by all who encountered her. The following predeceased Nellie: Kathleen Duncan (mother), Henry Duncan (father), Pandery “Pearl” Duncan (sister), Whytin “Lloyd” Duncan (brother), Delores Duncan (sister), and Alrick Duncan (brother). Nellie is survived by Winston “Charlie” Duncan (brother), Aldith Stone (sister), Uriah “Sheriff” Duncan (brother), Nellie Duncan (sister-in-law), Peaches Duncan-Lee (sister), Robert Lee (brother-in-law), Alvin Duncan (brother), Dean Brown (son), Gloria Brown (daughter-in-law), Andrea Brown (daughter), Roderick Brown (son-in-law), Audley Brown (son), Danielle Brown (daughter-in-law), Ashley Hutchings (granddaughter), Lance Brown (grandson), Karen Brown (granddaughter-in-law), Chloe Brown (granddaughter), Peyton Hutchings (great-granddaughter), Ellington Hutchings (great- granddaughter), Irie Brown (great-granddaughter) and a host of nieces and nephews. Please encourage the Brown family with loving words of Condolences on this personal page created just for Nellie Brown. To send flowers or to plant a tree in memory of Nellie, please visit our online Sympathy store.

Nellie Agatha Brown

April 25, 1940 - July 12, 2024