Jo Myrick Brown

Joetilia Brown was born April 5th, 1929, in Como, NC, to her parents, the late Clinton Lonnie and Josephine Britt Myrick. Her friends and family called her “Jo T”. She later became affectionately known as “Jo”. She was the firstborn of three siblings, Flora L. Lewis and Hosia D. Myrick who preceded her in death. As a child, she attended the Mill Neck Baptist Church in Como NC where she accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized. After graduating from high school, Jo’s ambitions took her to Richmond, VA, where she attended nursing school. She later worked at Pine Camp providing support and treatment to tuberculosis patients. She was very proud of her nursing training and her favorite saying to anyone she met was “take care of your body and it will take care of you!” Jo also attended the Loving School for Sewing and Alterations. Sewing was her true passion as she loved fashion and well-fitting clothes. While attending Loving School, Jo met the love of her life Henry F. Brown, and they were married in 1952. Two children, Erasmus and Patricia were born to his union. Tragically and shortly after starting their family, Jo was widowed when Henry suddenly died in February 1965. As the sole wage earner for her family, Jo worked at several retail stores doing alterations for customers. Among them were Tiffany’s Bridal and Sears. She simultaneously worked at home sewing for her private clients. She was a master at making clothes, and alterations were her specialty. Jo loved being a homemaker. She loved her children. She was creative. She was caring and often helped others. She provided housing to family members when they wanted to relocate to Richmond. After the death of her father, Jo brought her mother to live with her and her children. Throughout the years, Jo provided childcare to her grandchildren and provided many forms of support to neighbors and friends as needed. Jo is survived by her son Erasmus E. Brown (Sheila), daughter Patricia A. Brown, both of Richmond, Va.; grandson, Calvin Brown, and granddaughter, Kendal Green, both of Richmond, Va. She has two nieces, Debora Britt and Pamela Lewis, both of Richmond, Va.; and a host of cousins, relatives, and friends.

Tributes

Jo Myrick Brown

April 5, 1929 - June 4, 2023