Denice Brown

Mother Denice Brown, our beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt and cousin was born in Chicago, IL to the late Rev. Hardy D. Preston and Mother Learntean Love on August 24, 1949.  She was affectionately called "Niecy".  She enjoyed spending time with her father and moved with him to Sumrall, Mississippi.  There, she started the first gospel choir convening at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church along with her sister, Dorothy.

In 1966, she returned to Chicago, IL and organized the Inspirational Choir at Greater Christian Fellowship Church.  She always encouraged each individual to embellish their gifts to sing.  The services were vibrant and fulfilling as the spirit of the Lord anointed her and the people of God in the ministry.

In 1970 Denice was joined in holy matrimony to Chester Lee Gavin.  Chester and Denice nurtured four beautiful children, Xavier, Valdimir, Kenya and Marcus.  Denice was also known for her blessed hands. She was creative, a prolific seamstress, and she enjoyed sewing various garments. Denice was known for being the vibrant, jubilant and at times comical.

In 1984, she transitioned to Covert, MI with her family where she continued to utilize her gifts and birthed a youth choir at Gospel Tabernacle Church, where The Late Rev. Willie Lewis was the Pastor.

In 2003, she married Odell Brown and continued to enjoy life with Odell and her family.  Denice wasn’t a millionaire but she was altruistic and sowed plenty of love, joy and wisdom in others’ lives.  On any given day she would provide food and shelter for various teenagers from the city of Covert and South Haven, Michigan.  She was affectionately known as “Ma” to many young adults.

Denice transitioned from this life on Thursday, March 24, 2017 surrounded by her posterity. She was proceeded in death by her parents a Father, Rev. Hardy D. Preston,  a Mother, Learntean Love; a husband, Odell Brown, three brothers, Charles Love, Cleo Preston, Charles Tyrone, and special mother/friend, Mary Preston.

She leaves to cherish her memories with three devoted sons, Xavier, Valdimir and Marcus, one daughter, Kenya (Amere), eight siblings, Dorothy Morris, Valetta, Joseph, Tony (Melanie), Hardell (Raynard), T. Deane, Scottie, and Nicole (Larry); thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; aunties, her dear cousins, Caroline Easterling, Bobbi McGee, Patricia Lee, one god-sister Nellie Cox, one god-daughter LaShan Styles and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.