The late Mrs. Gerlean Brown was the first born to the proud parents of the late Mr. Emmitte and Rezurta Bryant on March 12, 1936, in Baldwin County. Gerlean transitioned from her earthly dwelling place to a prepared place in serenity gardens of glory on Tuesday Oct. 8, 2013, at The Louisiana Heart Center in Covington, La., surrounded by family.

Her parents, Mr. Emmitte and Rezurta Bryant; a loving husband, T.L. Brown; son, Walter Emmitte Brown and infant daughter preceded her in death.

Those who remained to cherish her loving memories, four daughters, Lula Mae Brown (devoted) of Meridian, Conn., Guina Mae Taylor of Bogalusa, La., Eileen Johnson of Arkansas and Annette Nettles (devoted) of Dallas, Texas; two sons, Matthew Brown and Mark Brown (devoted) both of Bogalusa, La.; three wonderful sisters, Shellie (Eddie Sr.) Sharp, Carolyn (Elder Jasper) Brown, both of Atmore and Willa Dean Knighton of Pensacola, Fla.; two adopted brothers, Author Lee Costic of Atlanta, Ga., and Alfred Ingram of Atmore; a devoted niece Bridget (Christopher) Dubose of Troy; three devoted nephews, Bernard L. Bryant of Atmore, Eddie (Victoria) Sharp Jr. and Cedric (Asha) Sharp, both of Troy; a host of grandchildren; great-grandchildren; cousins; other relatives and friends.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Robert Davis, pastor, Mayberry Funeral Home, directing.