Obituary of ERNESTINE BROWN

Ernestine Russell Brown was born April 13,1939 to the late Oceil Harris and Johnnie Russell in Duval County, Florida. She was the oldest of two children, Ernestine and Catherine Russell. On November 19, 1955, Ernestine married a life-long Bridgeton resident, Hartley (Mickey) Brown. Out of this union, there were five children: Hartley, Sherwood, Lisa, Garnet, and Janice. Ernestine attended Philadelphia Public School. She later became employed by Manischewitz Foods in Vineland. She remained there until retiring after forty-four years of employment services. Sister Brown became a member of St. Phillip’s Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Hargrove. Immediately after joining St. Phillip’s, she became an active member of the Number Two Choir and remained on the choir until she became ill. Ernestine was always full of joy, worship, and praise. She loved her choir and church family. The choir anniversaries were one of her best activities in church. She loved the classy attire during each anniversary celebration. Ernestine’s vibrant personality was seen throughout her life. Ernestine enjoyed other aspects of her life by sharing a lot of time with her sister and other family members, socializing and eating good food at various restaurants like: Neptune Seafood Restaurant, Golden Pigeon, and Crab Trap, to name a few. She loved shopping to accessorize her fashionable wardrobe. We also cannot forget her love for attending the Russell Family Reunion each July. She was so excited to meet up with all her family to share stories and eat good food. Ernestine leaves to cherish her memories, her children: Sherwood (Valerie), Lisa Peed (Vince), Garnet (Tonya) and daughter-in-law, Charmaine; special friend, Grace Still; and twenty-one grandchildren. Also, a host of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins; her church family and friends. Preceding her in death are her parents: Johnnie and Oceil Russell; her sister, Catherine Lewis; her husband, Hartley Brown, Sr., and two children: Hartley, Jr. and Janice Brown.