LTributes oving
I Only Wanted You Shirley
They say memories are golden, well that may be true, I never wanted memories, I only wanted you,
A million times I needed you, a million times I’ve cried, If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.
In life, I loved you dearly, in death I love you still, In my heart, you hold a place, that no one could ever fill.
If tears could build a stairway and heartache a lane, I’d walk the path to heaven, to bring you back again.
Our time on earth has ended and nothing seems the same, But when God calls me home to be with you, our love will live again.
Thank you for 54 beautiful years of marriage. God couldn’t have blessed me with a better wife, I will always cherish our love and years together. See you in Heaven.
Love, Lewis
May I Go?
May I go now?
Do you think the time is right?
May I say good-bye to pain-filled days
And endless, restless nights?
I’ve lived my life and done my best, An example I’ve tried to be. So, can I take that step beyond and set my spirit free?
I didn’t want to go at first, I fought with all my might. But something seems to draw me now To a warm and loving light. I want to go. I really do. It’s difficult to stay. But I will try as best I can, to live just one more day. To give you time to care for me And share your love and fears.
I know you’re sad and are afraid, because I see your tears. I’ll not be far. I promise that, and hope you’ll always know, my spirit will be close to you, wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me, You know I love you too
That’s why it’s hard to say good-bye And end this life with you.
So, hold me now, just one more time And let me hear you say, “because you care so much for me, You’ll let me go today.”
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
D ife of L iary
A Time To Be Born
Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Shirley Ann Conner Brown. The daughter of the late Able Conner Sr. and Virginia Lee Conner made her transition to heaven, on the morning of March 30, 2017. God required a true and faithful servant; so, He gently whispered to the sweetest Saint of God He could find sleeping, Shirley A. C. Brown.
A Time To Live
On March 15, 1942, God spoke into existence a beautiful baby girl, Shirley A. C. Brown. Having professed her hope in Christ at an early age, she passionately pursued to be about her Father’s business; praying, witnessing, serving, and encouraging others.
While working at Bradley’s Café, Shirley met a handsome and tall young man who would come into the café often. She would get upset with this young man because he would always request that she cook his meals and boy could she cook. As the saying goes, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” She fell in love and married the love of her life, Lewis G. Brown Jr. on January 25, 1963, and on January 26, 2013, they celebrated their 50th Golden Anniversary wedding of a lifetime.
She was a faithful, active, and former member of Temple of Deliverance C.O.G.I.C., where she was licensed as an Evangelist under the leadership of the late Presiding Bishop Gilbert E. Patterson and Evangelist Louise Patterson. She served for over twenty years in the following capacities: Sunday School teacher for the Young and Married Class, Voices of Bountiful Blessings Choir Member, President of the Home and Foreign Missions, Member of the Business and Professional Women’s Federation in which she held the title as the “Business and Professional Woman of the Year” for several years. She was a part of the Hospital Ministry, Nursing Home Ministry, and the Sick and Shut-In Ministry. She later joined Faith Keepers International Cathedral, where her Son-in-law, Bishop Gerald Coleman Sr. is the Pastor. There, she continued to be a faithful and loyal servant of the Lord as an Evangelist and Church Mother until her transition. Her church family deeply loved her. Shirley was an avid traveler; one of her most memorable and exciting experiences was a trip to Israel with her daughter.
Shirley was an active and inquisitive student through her educational journey in the Memphis City Schools; she graduated from Melrose High School in 1960. In her professional life, Shirley was educated as an L.P.N. (Licensed Practical Nurse), and she worked at John Gaston Hospital. She graduated from Memphis State University (University of Memphis) in 1978 with a B.S. in Social Work, and she received her Master’s Degree in Social Worker in 1982. She retired from the Veterans Hospital in 1989 as a Social Worker after 17 years of loyal service. Shirley also graduated from the Charles Harrison Mason Bible College in 2001 with a certificate in Biblical Studies. She loved the Lord and exemplified “Great Faith” throughout her Christian walk. She loved her family as well. She cherished most, the gatherings she shared with her family and friends during the holidays and other special occasions. She always gave more than she received, she loved all, and she never ceased to teach, inspire, and motivate us all to her death. Shirley was an Amazing and Great Woman of God, and although her legacy lives on, she will be greatly missed.
A Time To Die
Evangelist Shirley A. C. Brown affectionately known as “Granny” at the of age 75, traded this earthly labor for her eternal crown and reward on March 30, 2017. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants, Psalm 116:15. She was preceded in death by her parents Able Conner Sr. and Virginia Lee Conner, three brothers, Noble, Able Jr., and Amos, one sister, Annette.
