Delois (Sanders) Brown

Life’s Reflections

DeLois Brown was born December 4, 1946 in Charleston, Missouri to Lloyd and Corine Sanders. She was educated in the Trenton, Tennessee School District and was a 1965 Graduate of Rosenwald High School. In the early 1970s, DeLois and her children relocated from Tennessee to Topeka, Kansas and later moved to Kansas City, Kansas.

DeLois went to school for nursing and was a Licensed Practical Nurse in Tennessee, Missouri, and Kansas. Her mother was extremely proud of her for graduating Nursing school and that made DeLois proud. During her nursing career, she worked in several nursing homes and worked home health care. After 54 years in nursing, DeLois retired from KU Medical Center in 2001. Following her retirement, she also worked as a Daycare Assistant at Kidz Ink in Kansas City, Kansas.

DeLois was united in marriage to Horace P. Brown Jr. on February 14, 1984 and they were married for 37 years. They raised four children together: Demetris, Johnnie, Marquita & Phelesia. Family meant everything to DeLois. She was rarely seen without several grandchildren and great grandchildren in her care. She was the definition of a “Big Mama” to her own and everyone’s else’s children. She joyfully took in any and everyone she met. She was mama to many of her children’s friends, church members and many others she met on her journey. Family and friends affectionally referred to her as D, Billie D, Granny and Big Mama.

DeLois enjoyed listening to gospel music, playing with her grandkids, spending time with her “favorite” granddaughter and cooking. Some of her specialties were chicken & dressing, potato salad, banana pudding and banana split cake. She also loved fashion and getting dressed up! One of her favorite things was Sunday dinner & spending that time with her family. On the occasion she forgot to cook, Horace would pull out leftovers and someone would go and buy chicken to make the meal stretch. She always made sure there was plenty of food and that everyone ate. She loved holidays and Thanksgiving was her favorite. She would be up all night with a kitchen full of pots going to make sure everything was ready.

Big Mama was often the target of her grandchildren’s tricks, pranks and antics and would respond by “beating” them into fits of laughter! DeLois loved dolphins and was planning to go see them with her family later this year.

Mother DeLois Brown was a faithful member of the New Jerusalem Apostolic Church in Kansas City, KS for the last sixteen years under the leadership of Suffragan Bishop Carnest “Sarge” Mitchell and then District Elder Donnie Mitchell until the time of her passing. She served as a Church Mother, Usher and Youth Mother. All who entered the doors of New Jerusalem were blessed by her presence. She loved the Lord and never failed to give him praise. You never had to beg her to worship, and she was often found testifying of his goodness. Prior to joining New Jerusalem, Mo. Brown was a member of Eastside Church of God in Christ (Pastor Ben Scott) in Topeka, KS. She also attended Bethel Pentecostal Church in Kansas City, KS under the leadership of Suffragan Bishop Kenneth Neal and Suffragan Bishop Reuben K. Johnson prior to relocating to Topeka.

DeLois Brown departed this life on January 12, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Charlene Wilson, son, Johnnie C. Sanders, and a dear friend Ms. Shirley.  She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband, Horace Brown, Jr.; daughters Demetris Sanders, Marquita Summers and Phelesia Sanders of Kansas City, KS; special son, Bahjat (Reggie) Ali-Thomas, Stubenville, OH; grandchildren she raised, NiaShianne Sanders, Antwun Morton Jr. and Kai’Cyonna Ellis, all of Kansas City, KS; brothers Danny T. Sanders, Topeka, KS, David T. Sanders (Linda), Arkansas, Michael Ray Sanders, Tennessee and Bruce Sanders (Denise), Topeka, KS; sisters in law, Katie Kent, Ft. Worth, TX, Julia (J.C.) Carruth, Waco, TX, Diane Johnson, Savannah, GA; brothers in law, Thomas (Glenda) Brown, Topeka, KS and Leonard Brown, Savannah, GA. She leaves 17 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

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