Lillian (Thompson) Brown

Mrs. Lillian Thompson Brown, 102, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at Atrium Health Pineville in Charlotte, NC.  Born September 17, 1920, this lovely centenarian was a daughter of the late Clough and Manurva Gaston Thompson.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 pm, Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Mount Hopewell Baptist Church in Sharon, SC with Rev. Daemon Moss officiating, and Rev. Tony Lee and William "Bill" Lee eulogizing.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, Friday, January 6th at the funeral home.

Lillian Thompson Brown affectionately called “Kitty” by her family and friends and “Aunt Kitty” by her nieces and nephews. Lillian was born in Hickory Grove, SC to the late Clough and Manurva Gaston Thompson.    She received her early education in the Sharon, South Carolina public schools and attended Friendship Jr. College, Rock Hill, SC.  In 1942, she moved to Brooklyn, New York where she worked for different merchandising companies.  In 1983, she retired from the Pharmacy Department at Cumberland Hospital, Brooklyn, NY. 

She joined Mount Hopewell Baptist Church, Sharon, SC. at an early age. She continued her spiritual journey when she moved to Brooklyn by uniting with Brown Memorial Baptist Church but always kept her membership at Mount Hopewell.

In 1952, she married the love of her life, Eddie L. Brown and nurtured two children; Evelyn Brown and Eddie L. Brown, Jr. and was blessed with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Lillian and Eddie loved to shop and travel.  In their travel they generously shared memories of their trips with jewelry and various artifacts.  She traveled many miles to be with family to celebrate special events.  She was there to comfort those in times of sorrow.  Whenever she visited, she would come bearing gifts. Lillian was a gracious hostess and always welcomed family and friends to her home.  Her thoughtful deeds and caring words have been a part of her overall character.  She was a lady of style and strived for perfection in her appearance, her home and instilled in others the same. 

Lillian frequently made her journey back to South Carolina, especially for the Annual 2nd Sunday Revival at Mount Hopewell.  In 1983, she and her siblings organized the Thompson Family Reunion.  Family was so very important to her. It was her desire that generation after generation would continue to celebrate the Thompson Family roots, heritage and legacy.

Lillian joined Queen Esther Chapter #21 Order of Eastern Star on October 15, 1951.  During her more than 63 years Fraternal Sojourn, she served her Chapter extremely well.  She served on various committees, held every appointed and elected office.  She attained the highest office of Worthy Matron, a position she served with dignity and decorum.  Lillian was an innovative leader and under her leadership, the Chapter
thrived.  She worked untiring in her Chapter until her health didn’t allow her to attend meetings regularly.  Her greatest honor was to serve as “Mother” of the Chapter.

Lillian also worked in the Star of Bethlehem Grand Chapter Order of Easter Star, State of New York.  She served on various committees and served as Grand Conductress for many years.

She held a membership in the Progressive Women for Civil Rights, Brooklyn, NY.  The Progressive Women for Civil Rights was a non-profit fund-raising organization dedicated to the advancement of the “Negro” in any areas affecting a person’s dignity and well-being.  The organization was non- political and not affiliated, nor aligned with any movement society, or group seeking political alliance, or engaged in political activities.

Lillian’s membership also included the AARP, NAACP, Urban League, Legal Defense Fund, CORE (Brooklyn Chapter), SNCC, Poor People Corp, Freedom City (Brooklyn).  She also found time to work with the home for the aged and the Interfaith Hospital.

In August 1963, she organized a bus trip from Brooklyn, NY to Washington, DC for the March on Washington. This trip remained a memorable occasion in her life.  She was always a great supporter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Lillian served as Treasurer of the 309 Club at Ryerson Towers in Brooklyn, her resident for over 50 years.  In September 2019, she relocated to Rock Hill, South Carolina where for so many years she desired to move “back home” to be close to her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Brown, Sr.; son, Eddie Brown, Jr.; her parents, Clough and Manurva Gaston Thompson; and eighteen (18) siblings:  Clough Thompson, Jr.; Robert Thompson (RD), Claude Thompson, Elvira Thompson, Walter Thompson, Ned Thompson, Janie Thompson; Floyd Robbins (Ike), Kelly Robbins, Dorenda Pendergrass McCoy, Martha Jeter, Maybell Pendergrass, Lena Sanders, William Thompson, Anna Cornwell, Altonia McCluney, Mardine Pendergrass and Frances Jeter. We can hear them saying, “Kitty, we been up here waiting for you, welcome home.”  They are having their Thompson Family Reunion.

She is survived by her daughter Evelyn Brown, Los Angeles, California; granddaughter Tomeka Brown Washington (Leroy,) Riverview, Florida; and many other grandchildren and great grandchildren; Godchild, Arthelia Hampton, Chapel Hill, NC and many generations of devoted nieces, nephews and cousins.  She also leaves a devoted friend Barbara Ford, Brooklyn, NY and a devoted caretaker for many years, Alexis Hamilton-Prince, Brooklyn, NY.

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