Pythina B. Brown

Pythina Brooks Brown was born on May 10, 1929, in Blanchard. Her mother was Mary Brooks Harris, and her father was Charlie Brooks. She had one brother, Charlie Brooks Jr., who was two years older. She accepted Christ at an early age and always knew, even as a very young child, that she wanted to become a teacher.

She married Mr. Leonard Brown (deceased) on August 22, 1952. She truly lived out her love of Christ through her passion for helping and uplifting others, especially young people. She loved her family and church family deeply and could always be counted on to contribute. She was the very definition of “a people person.” Those who knew her well remember her as outspoken, loyal, loving, and fearless.

She is survived by her two sons, Glenn Brown Sr. (Beth) and Gregory Brown (Tawanda); granddaughters, Stephanie Alexander (Brandon) and the late Nedra Nicole Lee; grandsons, Gared Brown, Galen Brown, Glenn Brown Jr. (Ashley), Gregory David Brown, Richard I. Brown, and Christopher I. Brown; great-grandchildren, Kniesha Carr (Devon), Elizma Lee, Ava Brown, Grayson Brown, Aubrey Brown, Grant Brown, and Noble Brown. Great Great Grandchildren: Tiona & Devon Carr Jr. and a host of relatives and friends.

She also leaves behind her bonus daughter, Barbara Ellis; bonus grandchildren, Gregory L. Williams II, Brionna D. Wilson (Anthony), and Joshua Donovan; and bonus great-grandchildren, Kameron Williams, Gavin Williams, Ja’Coby Wilson, Brinley Wilson, and Briley Wilson.

Church Affiliation

Christian Baptist Church

• Assistant Church Clerk – 10 years
• Secretary – 17 years
• Administrative Secretary – 20 years
• Administrative Assistant to the General Secretary, Louisiana Missionary Baptist State Convention
• Active in Women’s Ministry, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School

Education

• Early Education – Caddo Parish Schools
• Graduate of Central Colored High School (CC High)
• B.S. Degree in Elementary Education – Grambling State University
• MA +30 – McNeese State University

Further Studies:

• Texas Southern University
• Northeast Louisiana University

Professional Experience

• Classroom Teacher – 31 years (20 years in Calcasieu Parish; 11 years at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic School)
• Elementary Consultant – 3 years (first person of color in Calcasieu Parish to serve in this role)
• ESEA Title III Project Director – 3 years
• Supervisor, ESEA Title I Programmed Tutorial Reading – 5 years (founded the program in Calcasieu Parish)

Professional Involvement

• Designated Demonstrator/Trainer for Programmed Tutorial Reading by Davis County School District, Farmington, Utah
• Conducted workshops and monitored Title I Tutorial Programs for Cameron Parish Schools, Monroe City Schools, and the Jackson, Mississippi School District
• Member of the Field Advisory Group, Early Childhood Division of Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL), Austin, Texas; directed field testing of a multimedia training package for parents of preschool children
• Cooperating Teacher – McNeese State University

Civic Involvement (Former)

• Board of Directors – Family & Youth Counseling Agency
• Board of Directors – Cal-Cam Chapter, American Red Cross (Secretary)
• Board of Directors – Southwest Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation
• Board Member – C.A.S.E., Inc. (state-funded after-school tutoring program)
• Member – Mayor’s Clean City Board
• Coordinator, North Lake Charles – Governor’s Conference on Women
• Vice Chairman, Region V Human Concerns – Louisiana Priorities for the Future
• Delegate to the White House Conference on Library and Information Services
• Served two four-year terms on the Calcasieu Parish School Board, District 2; chaired the Pupil Personnel Committee and Curriculum and Instruction Committee; member of the Administration and Personnel Committee; served on the Advisory Council for Special Education
• Chaired the Annexation Committee for the City of Lake Charles
• Member of the SWLA Task Force for Growth & Opportunity (GO GROUP)

Organizations

• NAACP
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Life Member)
• Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. (Charter Member)
• Local, State, and National Retired Teachers Associations
• Grambling State University Alumni Association (Life Member)
• AARP

Awards

• Teacher of the Year – 1967
• Citizen of the Day – KLOU Radio Station, September 11, 1974
• Featured in Women 1976, published by the Lake Charles American Press
• Listed in the Directory of Significant Twentieth Century American Minority Women (1977)
• Top Ladies of Distinction Service Award
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Service Award
• Distinguished Member Award – Louisiana State PTA (served as Secretary for 5 years)
• 2009 Recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Award
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She has been a member of the Krewe Des Classique  27 years and has served as vice-president, Chaplain and served as recording secretary. She has served on Court as Princess of The New Circus,

Princess of East Africa , Princess of the Wild, Wild West and attendant to Queen Classique No. 30 Betty Carrier, in 2017 representing green as the Duchess of Faith. She has served on many of the Krewe's committees and often treated members with her varied, tasty desserts.

Mrs. Brown's visitation will begin at 9:00 A.M. with funeral service to follow at 11:00 A.M. The AKA memorial ceremony, "Ivy Beyond The Wall," will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. All services will be held in Christian Baptist Church. Interment will be in Combre Memorial Park under the direction of Combre Funeral Home.