Ida L. Brown

"Those who walk with God always reach their final destination."

Reverend Ida Brown was born on November 6, 1940 in Amherst County, Virginia to the now late Mr. Washington Booker T. and Elinor (Berry) Jones. On January 18, 2013, after complications from a brief yet severe bout with pneumonia, Reverend Brown passed from this world to be with her Lord at the age of 72.

Reverend Brown attended G.W. Carver H.S. in Salem, Virginia. She moved to Washington D.C. to attend Cortez Peters Business College where she received an Associate’s Degree in Business. She continued her studies throughout the rest of her life, taking courses at UDC and ultimately received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Business Administration at Ashford University, Clinton, Iowa, on October 14, 2012, where she graduated Magnum Cum Laude. Reverend Brown was ordained as a Baptist Minister in 2008 at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.

In 1962, Ida and Herbert Jones were married and were blessed with 3 children, Juanita, Ronald and Alphonso Jones. In 1976, she married Fred A. Brown Jr. They remained married for 37 years and were blessed with a daughter, Frances Jones. Reverend Brown resided at 425 Madison Street, NW, Washington, D.C. for the last 56 years.

Reverend Brown worked for the Department of Labor, the ID and Records division of the Metropolitan Police Department and retired from Amalgamated Casualty Insurance after 25 years of service. She founded By Grace Through Faith Ministries, a non-profit community based outreach organization that offers material and financial support to low-income members of the community. Through grant writing, community networking and individual generosity, this one-woman organization, she was able to help individuals and families in need for almost a decade. Reverend Brown devoted her retirement years to this great organization.

Rev. Brown received Jesus Christ as Savior by profession of faith September 12, 1952. As a child she attended Sunday school and studied with her Uncle Lewis Gentry. Reverend Brown trained as a Lay Leader under Rev. Alphonso J. Harrod and Rev. Walter B. Cox at Brightwood United Methodist Church. She was trained in Evangelism at First Rising Baptist Church under the instruction of Rev. Ernest Gibson. She was appointed Lay Minister at Metropolitan Baptist Church and served as Minister of Missions at Morning Star Abiathar Pre-Gospel Church of God. In 2008 Reverend Brown became a member of the Council of Women Ministers of Greater Washington, DC. Rev Brown reunited with Gethsemane Baptist Church on June 22, 2003.  It was an honor for her to serve as Head of Evangelism at Gethsemane, doing what she loved to do. On November 23, 2008 received her Certificate of Ordination under the direction of Rev. Khalfani Drummer. Rev Brown was an extremely active participant in many church functions. She loved her church family, and it was shown in her daily walk.

Reverend Brown is survived by family members who loved her dearly. These include her spouse, Fred A. Brown Jr., 5 children, Juanita Jones, Ronald Jones, Alphonso Jones and Frances Jones, Matthew Brown; 5 grandchildren, Aaron Slaughter, Ari Parker, Skyler Barr, Demetrius Brown, and Skylar Horst; sisters, Rebecca Smith, Mary Wade, Jean Cooley and Eleanor English, brother-in-laws, Richard Cooley, Edward English and Stacy Brown, adopted brother, Carlos Terry, adopted sister Maryanne Person; nephews, Larry Smith, Gary Smith, James Smith, Michael Smith and Kevin English; niece, Barbara Smith, a host of cousins, beloved relatives and the many friends that she has made and maintained through her life.


On Saturday, January 26:
Viewing - Gethsemane Baptist Church, Washington (map/directions) - 10:00 a.m.
Funeral - Gethsemane Baptist Church - 12:00 p.m.
Interment - Quantico National Cemetery (map/directions)