Mother Alice P . Brown

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord” Revelation 14:13

Mother Alice Fair Brown, 96, of Benton Harbor, departed from labor to her reward on Sunday, August 13, 2023.

Mother Brown was born September 3, 1926, in West Memphis, AR. to Mr. James and Alberta (McKay) Fair, Sr. She grew up in Benton Harbor, being rooted, grounded, and taught about Holiness under the late Bishop Nathaniel W. Wells, Sr. (Poppa Wells).

Mother Brown was saved and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost as a young woman and was groomed under the senior mothers and leaders of the church, where the standard was and still is “Holiness is right.” Later in life, she began attending Nowlen Street Church of God In Christ under the leadership of the late Elder Daniel M. Watts, who renamed the church to St. Matthew COGIC. Mother Brown served faithfully under four leaders of the ministry: the late Elder Daniel M. Watts; the late Bishop Fred Cunningham Sr, who renamed the church to Watts’ Memorial COGIC; Bishop Fred Cunningham, II; and last but certainly not least Dr. Kenneth L. Hawkins, Jr., who renamed the church to Victorious Life Christian Center. As a prayer warrior and star supporter of the ministry, she radiated a faithfulness and love for God that was contagious. Her favorite testimony was always, “I’m saved, and I got the Holy Ghost!”

Mother Brown was married to Jessie Brown, and traveled as a nursing assistant while raising children. Living life to capacity and never meeting a stranger, she leaves an amazing example of defending the faith. Even during the pandemic season, she never missed a day when the doors of the church were open. Those left to celebrate Mother Brown’s life include; her grandsons Donald Bishop Jr. and Larry Gibson; a host of great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; Pastor Kenneth Hawkins, Goddaughter and First Lady Reshella Allen-Hawkins, and the Victorious Life Christian Center family; and other members of the community – all of whom can agree that she was serious about her relationship with God. Mother Brown’s family also wishes to acknowledge and are thankful to all who went above and beyond in her senior care and assistance. Mother Brown was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jessie Brown; brothers – James Fair, Jr and Buddy Fair; sons – Donald Bishop, Frederick Bishop, Lester Bishop, and Richard Bishop; grandchildren Felicia, Wayne and Sherry Bishop.

Mother Brown truly lived and left us with the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

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