Brazell Brown

Brazell Stocklin-Brown was born on July 28, 1928 in Fort Pillow, Tennessee to the late Y.Z. Stocklin, Sr. and Lillie Ann Winbush-Stocklin.

Her mother passed away when she was 6 years old. Her father remarried R. A. Stocklin, who raised Brazell as her daughter. Brazell, grew up in a family of love and hard work. She was a loving and obedient child.

Brazell was baptized at a young age at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Fort Pillow, Tennessee. She later joined Bethel Baptist Church of Cherry, Tennessee, where she served as Sunday School secretary.

She attended school in Lauderdale County, Tennessee. In 1949, Brazell was blessed with a daughter, Robin Ann. As a young woman, Brazell worked various jobs including domestic, doctor offices and hospitals, to support herself and her child.

Brazell later moved to Detroit, Michigan. In Detroit, she met and married the love of her life, Otto Brown, and to this union the Lord blessed them with two children, Cynthia and Keith. Brazell was affectionately known by her nicknames “Mama Zell and Brady.” Though many miles from home in Tennessee, she never forgot her family. She named most of her younger sisters. She was surely a big sister we all would have wanted to have.

She loved her family and loved taking care of children and other love ones. Brazell was always willing to give others a helping hand.

Brazell joined Greater St. Peters AME Zion Church in Detroit where she attended and served as Usher until her illness.

Brazell spent her 89th birthday in her hometown, in Tennessee, and was presented with proclamations for her birthday, and the key to the county seat in Ripley, Tennessee. Lauderdale County declared her birthday, July 28th, as Brazell Stocklin-Brown's Day in the County. Classmates from Lauderdale High School gladly attended.

Brazell made her transition February 3, 2018. Preceding her in death was her: beloved husband, Otto Brown; son, Keith Brown; two brothers, Jim Johnson and Ham Stockling; two sisters, Marva Stocklin and Denise Winbush.

She leaves to cherish her memories her: dearly devoted daughters, Robin (James) Whitelaw and Cynthia Watson; one special daughter, Angela (Leonard) Susberry; two granddaughters, Shawnny (Shaun) Pickens and Keyonia Brown (Mother, Regina Parker); three great-grandchildren, Shaniece Pickens, Ke’Shaun Pickens and Kayla Johnson; four sisters, Alma Frazier of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Brendell Reese of Memphis, Tennessee, Mary (Samuel) Smith of Ripley, Tennessee, Doris Stocklin of Ripley, Tennessee; three brothers, Corlis R. (Sylvia) Mackey of Orlando, Florida, Terry L. Stocklin of Solon, Ohio and Y.Z. (Chandra) Stocklin, Jr., of Memphis, Tennessee; five sisters-in-law, Ruby Stockling of San Bernardino, California, Dorothy (Larry) Turner of Chicago, Illinois, Lillie Brown of Detroit, Michigan, Esther Brown of Cleveland, Ohio, Sherian Brown of Montgomery, Alabama; a host of nieces, nephews, family members and friends.