Marie J. Brown

Marie J. Brown was born in New York City on July 19, 1961. She was the first-born daughter of Julian and Lucinda Norgrove, who both preceded her in death.

She was educated in New York City’s public school system where she eventually graduated from Charles Evans Hughes High School. During her late teenage years, she met her future husband, Thaddeus Brown III (D), in the neighborhood where they were raised. This union produced their one and only child, a son– Thaddeus Brown, III. Her son was her pride and joy, and she often boasted about him to her friends, family and coworkers. She cherished his visits from South Carolina not only because she got to spend precious time with him, but because it provided her with the perfect opportunity to show him off!

Marie worked at NYC’s Health and Hospitals Corporation’s Bellevue Hospital, starting in the Housekeeping Department. At some point, her department was asked to provide the names of six of their best workers and Marie was chosen as one of the six. She transferred over to a new function as a Service Aide, responsible for ordering patient supplies. She was employed there for 36 years until her retirement in June of 2024.

Marie enjoyed baking cakes that she loved to share and her baked ziti was the bomb! She loved wearing costume jewelry, getting her hair braided, and getting manicures and pedicures! She loved visiting her cousin, Etta White, and her family, as well as spending time with her nieces - Laverne, Maleeka, and Maya Harris, and great niece, Olivia Watson, whom she lovingly called “BooBoo”.

Since the year 2019, she and her sisters kept their mother’s annual tradition of traveling down south for Homecoming in August. They shared this time with their first cousins, Princess Boothe and Margie Boothe-Gripper (both from VA), attending their parents’ and Margie’s church – Zion Tabernacle Baptist Church in Corapeake, NC.

Her brother-in-law, Milton, whom she called “Brother”, randomly gave her the nickname “Margaret”. But it wasn’t so random after all. In Greek, that name comes from the word margarites meaning “pearl”, a word used in the New Testament to symbolize something precious, pure, and of great spiritual value like God’s truth or the Kingdom of Heaven. It is no wonder then that Marie would accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, devoting her life to serving Him!

In 2001, Sister Marie joined the Salvation and Deliverance Headquarters Church. She served on many auxiliaries, starting with the Amazing Grace Choir under the leadership of Mother Betty Williams. She later joined the Radio & TV Choir, where she served until the Lord called her home. After becoming a missionary, she faithfully met with them once a month to visit the Concourse Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Bronx, NY, under the leadership of Evangelist Robin Todd and other missionaries. Sister Marie joyfully participated in the prayer, scriptural reading, devotion, sharing her testimony, and giving the benediction. She often distributed gospel tracts and The Daily Word booklets to the patients at the nursing home. Sister Marie loved helping people.

Also, as a faithful member of the Outreach Team, she was always ready, willing, and able to do God’s kingdom work as the Lord would lead, by visiting shelters and doing street ministry in Central Park andon the bus, ministering unto souls with Evangelist Glover. When given the opportunity, she prayed on Saturday’s Outreach Prayer Line. Marie took a number of courses at St. Paul’s Bible Institute, where she received many degrees and certificates. She was a very good student who studied to show herself approved unto God. Marie was very friendly and loved to engage in conversation. Her favorite song was “Praise the Lord Everybody” because this is what she did in her walk with God - she praised the Lord always.

Sometimes during her busy schedule, Sister Marie became involved with the Colonial Projects (by “adopting” sons). These “sons” were young men that gravitated to the love of God she had within. She started ministering to them by distributing gospel tracts and The Daily Word booklets. Soon it became a weekly Thursday night prayer session.

Sister Marie’s contributions to these auxiliaries will leave a lasting impact on the ministry. She will be greatly missed.

Marie leaves to cherish her memory her son, Thaddeus Brown, III of South Carolina; two sisters, Almirah Norgrove-Harris and Arlene Norgrove; two brother in-laws, William Brown (aka “Brother”) and Christopher Brown; one sister in-law, Lori Brown; one aunt, Cleora Williams, three nieces, Laverne, Maleeka, & Maya Harris; 1 great niece, Olivia Watson; and a host of cousins and friends.

A graveside service will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Benton Family Cemetery, Corapeake, N.C. Professional services with dignity, compassion and care have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc.