BONNIE M. BROWN (née Vaughn) was born on February 22, (formerly President’s Day), 1934 in Clinton, South Carolina. She was the only child of the late Robert Louis Vaughn and Josephine (Richey) Vaughn. Her father was employed as a Pullman Porter, and made the decision to move his family from the segregated South, north to Buffalo, New York, when she was just three years old.
She came to know the LORD JESUS CHRIST as her personal Savior as a young person while attending the Bethel AME Church, with her mother, under the pastorate of the Reverend Harry White. Her faith was unwavering and sustained her throughout her life.
A product of the Buffalo Public School system, Bonnie began her education at P.S.#31, and was a 1952 graduate of Hutchinson Central Technical High School. She went on to attend Alfred State University, in Alfred, New York. During a school break, while waiting for a bus, she met the man who would become her husband of 65 years, Charlie Clay Brown. They were married in 1955 and became the parents of a daughter, Robin (Orval Cott). Two sons followed, Kevin in 1956, and Keith in 1959.
At no time in her life was anything more important to Bonnie than her family and its welfare. Having a desire to contribute to its advancement, she entered the work force, while her children were still young. She worked at New ERA Cap, in Derby, New York, for a time, but ultimately made her career at Roswell Park Memorial Institute, where she was employed for 33 years; first as a phlebotomist, drawing blood from cancer patients “on the floor” and then in the Blood Bank as a Laboratory Technician. Her dedication to excellence paired with her caring and cheerful temperament, and a willingness to help and teach others made her a well-respected and invaluable employee. In retirement, her life was fully family-focused. She rarely traveled, as her comfort lied in her ability to be present for her family at a moment’s notice; she was always there.
During her formative years, Bonnie developed a great and enduring passion for reading and artistic pursuits. She excelled at anything that involved the use of her hands. As a wife and mother, her interests were directly aligned with her love of home and family. If she was not at work, Bonnie could always be found at home or in the company of family, engaging in one of her proficiencies, which included cooking, cleaning, sewing, knitting, crocheting, painting and gardening.
When she became a grandmother at age 41, her focus and love grew exponentially and was incorporated in the care and nurture of her new granddaughter, Stacy. Her home became a second-home to both Stacy (Thomas Beauford, Jr.) and her brother, Justin (Tamica Nicole Lewis) when their mother became a Buffalo Police Officer in 1982, and had to work overnight shifts. As a result of the quality time spent, a strong and lifelong bond was forged between the grandparents and their “first grands.” Indeed, Gramma and Papa’s home was a place that welcomed all of her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She was lovingly given the title of “Grand Robin” by her great-grandson Jason. The name stuck and she loved it! In her later years, she found great joy in the company of her “special granddaughter,” Timesha and great-grandchildren Vaughn and Jewel, who were constants in her life. Children held a special place in her heart.
Bonnie and Charlie Brown shared a life, a love of family and lived independently until March 2020, when they were separated by illness and the circumstances wrought by the Pandemic. After Charlie entered a nursing home, Bonnie made her home with her daughter and son-in-law, Orval, where she was surrounded by love, appreciated and cared for until she peacefully passed into eternal life on November 22,2023. Her life and memory will be forever cherished by those who loved her and she will be sorely missed.
She was predeceased by her husband and leaves nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, two sisters-in-law, Chester Mae(Brown) Moore of Chicago, IL and Marilyn (Brown) Pearson of Hinning, TN, and a host relatives and friends.
Services were held Thursday, November 30, 2023, 12 PM at Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church, 641 Masten Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14209. Final resting place Forest Lawn Cemetery.
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