How Beautiful the Day that is Touched by LOVE!

The Matriarch of our family "Leona M. Brown was born on December 15, 1918, to her parents,

the late James and Eula Lee Washington Smith, in Early Branch, Hampton County, South

Carolina. She grew up worshipping with her family' at the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Early

Branch, South Carolina. She moved to Baltimore in her early twenties. Leona was known for

her welcoming smile, generosity and wisdom. She was a loving mother and grandmother, and a

devoted friend. Leona was a hard and dedicated worker. She loved cooking for her family and

friends every Sunday and especially on holidays. She was a woman of great faith who loved God

and instilled that love in her children and grandchildren. She loved reading the Bible, and her

favorite scriptures were Isaiah 32:17 and Romans 5:1-2. She was always willing to help those in

need. She was a member of Whitestone Baptist Church for over fifty years where she loved to

sing on the choir before her health began to decline.

Her faith was truly evident when she was preceded in death by her daughter (Ethel Barber), a

sister (Eula Lee Ware) and two brothers (Walter and Wilson Smith) within a six-month time

frame. She was also preceded in death by her sons-in-law Joseph Cooler, Joseph Barber and

sister Juanita Murray.

She leaves to cherish her memories her children, Hattie Mae Cooler, Leta Smith (Harry Jr.),

Loveeda Carter, Whitt Nottingham, Jr., (Laura), 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grand children and 7

great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. .