Obituary of Charmaine F Brown

Charmaine F. Brown, was born to the late James Gaines and Pearl Loretta Cook-Gaines on December 28, 1927 in Laurel, Delaware. In her early years, she and her sister Gloria were raised by their paternal grandparents Edward and Ardella Smiley Gaines. Love for the relatives of each, the Gaines and Smiley families remained with Charmaine her entire life. Reuniting with their mother Pearl, they enrolled in the Most Blessed Sacrament Parochial School in Philadelphia., PA. There, the Blessed Sacrament Nun’s teachings of God’s love, racial pride, and human behavior, left a lasting impression on her. Attending High School in Wilmington, DE for 2 years and returning to Philadelphia, Charmaine attended William Penn High School, graduating in 1945. Charmaine married Amos Simms Jr. in 1947 and was blessed during this union with two daughters, Ritha Custis and Linda E. Harris. After seeking work, she finally was employed at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (PNSY). With the help of her Mother Pearl and sister Gloria, she was able to be a steadfast and dedicated employee working in the Naval Publications and Print Services Dept., receiving many awards and achieving the distinction of the 1st Black female foreman in the PNSY. In 1969, she married Leroy Brown, moved to Camden, NJ and was blessed with a third daughter L’Tanya Brooks. Returning to her faith, she found joy and fulfillment in becoming a servant of God whenever and wherever, she was needed at her beloved St. Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church. Her husband Leroy shared her joy, becoming a member of the St. Barts Men’s’ Club. Never forgetting her roots in Delaware and Maryland, which she called “home” she remained a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was busy at both sites, St Barts in NJ and the Ladies Auxiliary activities at Zion United Methodist Church in Maryland. After 37 years, Charmaine retired from PNSY and was able to spend more time with her grands and great grands. In December 2018, she was able to hold her fifth-generation granddaughter Sariah Angel Custis and her fifth-generation grandson Ryan Lamar Fisher, Jr., on Easter Sunday 2019. Charmaine also leaves a rich legacy and memories to be cherished by her children Ritha Custis, Linda Harris, and L’Tanya Brooks; grandchildren Rachelle (Lyle Sr) Fisher, Turiya Harris, Clifton Harris Jr., Phoebe Reynolds, and Nyeema C. Harris; 12 great-grandchildren and 7 great great-grandchildren. Charmaine was preceded in death by her husband Leroy Brown and two grandchildren Ronelle Custis Deal and Ronald Custis, Jr. She also leaves to cherish; son-in-law Clifton Harris, Sr.; the Fisher Family, Hakeem Bostick, special cousin Sandra Davis and a host of family, relatives, cousins and friends. the Family