Obituary of Dr. Birdie F. Brown

Dr. Birdie L. Faulkner Brown was born on March 14, 1924 in Prattville, Alabama to Albert J. and Mary D. Faulkner. She was nicknamed “Baby” because she was the young- est and baby of a large family of 12 children. She attended Lincoln Elementary School. After moving to Birmingham, Alabama, she attended junior high school and graduated from Parker High School. In 1948, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Alabama A & M University. While there, she was active in numerous professional and social organizations but most importantly, she met her future husband, James H. Brown. She attended Tennessee State University from 1955 -1968 in the Master’s Program in Elementary Education and Art Education. She achieved certification in Elementary Education, Art Educa- tion and Home Economics all while raising a family of five children. She retired after dedicating over 25 years of teaching Elementary Education and Art Education in both the Birmingham and Nashville Metropolitan School Systems where she impacted and motivated many students and parents over the years. During her years of teaching, she still maintained her interest in fashion design and wore some of her own designs. She always dressed from head to toe and accessorized every outfit. Her husband, James, would comment on how she made him look good. She participated in numerous civic and community organizations and activities such as: Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Jack and Jill, Inc., Junior Achievement, Parent Teacher Associations, American Diabetes Association, March of Dimes, Veterans Association, American Cancer Society, Goodwill Industries, Salvation Army and Methodist Women. She was also a very active member in her church, Clark Memorial United Methodist Church and member of the YMCA. She was a Life member of the Alabama A & M University Alumni Association, Inc. and member of the New Middle Tennessee Alabama A & M University Alumni Chapter. She was bestowed several awards and honors: in 1955, she was elected Queen of the Birmingham Chapter Alabama A & M University Alumni Association, Incorporated; in 1994, she was honored as the "Distinguished Mother of the Year" by the Top Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated; and in May 2000, Alabama A & M University conferred upon her the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Together with her husband, they received numerous recognitions and awards: In July 1988, the Brown Family was featured in Ebony Magazine; in November 1999, the Brown Family was honored as Family of the Year by the Tennessee Black Caucus of the State Legislators; and also in Alabama in 2000, Drs. James and Birdie Brown served as Homecoming Parade Marshalls at Alabama A & M University and were honored with a boulevard named “James H. and Birdie F. Brown Boulevard” on the Alabama A & M University campus. She and her husband established several awards and scholarships for students at Alabama A & M University, Alabama State University, Tennessee State University and Meharry Medical College. For many years in their home, she and her husband hosted numerous alumni fundraising events for student scholarships. She and James raised five children, Albert H., Alice B., Jacqueline D., Renee C., and James Jr. She loved life, her faith and her family. She was so gracious, loving, giving and unselfish. Her smile was infectious and welcoming. Influenced by her family, particularly by her sister and brother-in-law, Lulline “Jackie” and Robert Long, her strong belief in education and her work ethic was instilled at a young age. She and her devoted husband, Dr. James H. Brown, of 74 years, were the ultimate dynamic duo. Theywereateamwhenitcametoraisingtheirfamily. Theyinstilledintheirfivechildrentoneversettleforless,toworkharder than anyone else and to strive to be the best. Nothing was more important than their children's education. Four of their five children had perfect attendance for all 12 years of elementary school and high school. All five children became Doctors and are continuing their legacy of higher education. Their grandchildren and great-grandchildren are also following in their footsteps. Birdie loved driving her prized 1965 yellow Ford Mustang. She was fun, energetic, and athletic and loved to dance, even challenging her children to a foot or bicycle race. She also loved to travel, cook, workout, design clothes, and entertain family and dear friends especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners. Birdie and James were supportive in all of their children’s activities. Whatever interests their children had, they made it happen: whether it was music lessons, ballet lessons, dance, tap, judo, tennis, typing, swimming, guitar, summer school, camps, basketball, football, track, cheerleading, baton, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, fundraisers and so many other activities. They planned great family vacations and adventures and wanted to make sure that their children had an opportunity to explore and learn from those experiences. She was a devoted Friend, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Wife, Mother, Daughter-in-law, Mother-in-law, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. Birdie was the strength and rock of the family. Her words, “I love you” and “Be Sweet” were her signature words. She is preceded in death by her father, Albert Faulkner; her mother Mary Faulkner; her sister, Elveniur; her brother, Allie McRae (Uncle Brother); her sister, Mary; her brother, Alexander James (Uncle Wheeler); her sister, Lulline Almeta (Aunt Lulline); her brother, Lafayette (Uncle Big Boy); her brother, Daniel J (Uncle Jack); her sister, Inez; her sister, Celia Ella (Aunt Cee); her sister, Cornelia Bell (Aunt Cornelia); her brother, Major Allen (Uncle Buddy); her son, Dr. Albert H. Brown; her daughter, Dr. Alice B. Brown; and her husband, James H. Brown DDS. She is survived by her daughters Dr. Jacqueline D. Brown Bryant (Patrick), of Laurel, MD and Dr. Renee C. Brown Pascoe (Handel) of Edmond, OK and son, Dr. James H. Brown, Jr, of New York, NY; and her grandchildren, Dana M. Davenport Esq., of Naperville, IL; Candace R. Zeller, of Phoenix, AZ; Brandon N. Pascoe, of Edmond, OK; Dr. Alexis R. Pascoe, of Galveston, TX;Dr.JasmineA.Pascoe,ofHouston,TX;DeneseM.andLawrenB.Bryant,ofLaurel,MD. Hergreat-grandchildren,Thomas “Trey” L. Davenport, III of Naperville, IL; Lena L. Davenport of Naperville, IL; Bella K. Pascoe, of Edmond, OK and a host of nieces, cousins, other family members and dear friends. There are established endowed scholarships in Birdie and the family’s names. If you wish to honor her, in lieu of flowers, you may contribute to an existing scholarship: Tennessee State University: Brown Family Scholarship by using the website http://www.tnstate.edu/foundation/ and entering the “Brown Family Scholarship” name when instructed or by mailing a check to TSU Foundation; 3500 John A. Merritt Bou- levard; Campus Box 9542; Nashville, TN 37209-1561 with the check made payable to “TSU Foundation” and in the Memo section enter “Brown Family Scholarship.” Alabama A & M University: "Dr. James Harvey Brown & Dr. Birdie Faulkner-Brown Scholarship for Excellence in Elementary Education" by using the website https://secure.qgiv.com/for/aau/ and locate the scholarship name in the ‘scrolled down’ fund list or by mailing a check to Marketing, Communication & Advancement; Alabama A & M University; 309 Patton Hall; Normal, AL 35762 with check made payable "Alabama A & M University Foundation" and in the Memo section enter "Dr. James Harvey Brown & Dr. Birdie Faulkner-Brown Scholarship for Excellence in Elementary Education." Condolences may be left in Lewis and Wright Funeral Directors’ online guestbook at https://lewisandwrightfuneraldirectors. com. You will not be able to join us in person for services and interment but will be able to be present through your Facebook live stream by Lewis and Wright Funeral Directors. You will be able to gain access through your Facebook page by entering “Lewis-Wright FD”. We hope that each and every one of you join us on Thursday, February 4th, 2021 at 5:00PM. A formal Memorial Service will be scheduled at a later date.