Alice Pauline Mitchell Brown

A courageous life spanning 95 years

"Meet what life gives you with courage and give it the best you have"

Eleanor Roosevelt

Pauline was born in Newark, NJ  to Buford and Octavia Mitchell. She was the middle of three siblings: sister Catherine and brother, Caryl. The family lived on Warren Street in Newark and the children attended Warren Street School participating in playground activities at Warren Street School.  She became a member of her neighborhood church, Trinity Union African Methodist Episcopal where she was a member of the Young Adult League and taught Sunday School.  She graduated from Barringer High School (Class of ’49) where she played the cello in the orchestra. She went on to attend Newark State Teachers College (Now Kean University) where she completed two years and played the cello in the orchestra. 

A courageous Professional trailblazer…Opening doors for others by walking through them herself: After attending Newark State, she sought employment and became the first black person hired at Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company (Newark) as an Actuarial Clerk where she served for many years. She was also employed by the East Orange Board of Education and Prudential.

Courageous in Adversity: In 1955, she was struck by a speeding car that left her hospitalized at St. Michael’s Hospital in a body cast for several months.  Pauline often retold the story that she could see the Trinity steeple from her room and that gave her hope, which inspired her to exceed all expectations and learn to walk again.  

Love makes everything better: In 1958, Pauline was united in holy matrimony to Roy E. Brown whom she met at Trinity. They raised 3 children to adulthood: Michelle, David and Kathy in Newark and East Orange.

“Her children arise and call her blessed…Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting , but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:28,30-31 (KJV): Once the Browns moved to East Orange,Pauline changed her church membership to Peaceful Zion Baptist Church.  She often said that she chose Peaceful Zion because Rev. Joseph T. Osborne was so welcoming to us as new residents in the neighborhood.  When Rev. Joseph E. Osborne succeeded his father as pastor, he also made it a point to know the parents of the church kids. She sent us to Sunday school often; Baptist Training Union and summer camp. At Peaceful Zion, she was a member of the Helping Hands Club.

Creativity at its Best and Courageous in support: She created beauty as a gifted seamstress and baker whose skill touched everyone around her. She was an extraordinary baker: cookies; pound cakes; wedding cakes and other homemade bakers’ delights!

Pauline made most of her children’s clothes, Youth choir dresses; halloween costumes; prom dresses and wedding dresses.  She taught us how to sew aprons, shoe bags and potholders. She also loved taking us to the Crispus Attucks Day and Memorial Day parades.

Her voice and music brought joy.  Pauline loved all kinds of music and encouraged each of us to learn piano basics.  Of course, her son, Davidexcelled beyond expectation by mastering classical piano. For her own satisfaction, she took guitar lessons at night.

Pauline was an avid supporter of our extra-curricular activities: Band Mom; Drill Team Mom; Nathaniel and Ian in their school, scouting, music and sports activities.  Anytime David was performing, she would be there.  She tended not to drive long distances but summoned her courage totackle Route 80; the Garden State Parkway and 95 to support us at Bucknell University (Lewisburg Pa); Howard University and Rowan University. 

She enjoyed sharing the history and growth of the City of Newark with usand made sure that we were aware of African American notables that made our current advantages possible.  In that way, she encouragedMichelle to gain membership in the Youth Division of the Association for the Study of African American History (founded by Carter G. Woodson). During that time, Pauline and Michelle were both able to meet Alex Haley just before he published Roots!

Raising a family was time-consuming but she found time to nurture friendships as well. We were privileged to be surrounded by great neighbors and her lifelong high school friends and their families:  Ruth(Smith) Lester; Delores (Blount) Wilson; Mattie Spates and Ruth Hollomon.

Those who Cherished her Legacy: Pauline was predeceased by her parents, Buford and Octaivia Mitchell; sister, Catherine and brother, Caryl; her beloved husband Roy; and son David Michael. She leaves to celebrate her life: daughters, Ellen Michelle (Brown) Harris and her husband Rodger (Chicago); Kathy (Brown) Hawkins and her husband Carl (West Orange); grandsons: Nathaniel & Ian Hawkins (West Orange/Newark); godson, Arnold K. Wilson (Sanford, Fla); devoted caregivers, Tracey Amas, Ola Ogungbesan, Mabel Gustav Lartey and a host of relatives and friends.  

Lovingly Submitted, 

The Family