Leader in AME Zion Church Remembered as “An Anointed, Gifted and Extraordinary Woman”

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By Micha Green, AFRO Washington, D.C. editor

It wasn’t referred to as a funeral, but a “Service of Triumph” as family, friends, congregants and distinguished leaders from the AME Zion Church said “see you next time” to the Rev. Dr. Kathryn Gertrude Brown, associate minister of Judah Temple AME Zion Church in Bowie, Maryland.  The theme of the service was “The Lady. The Leader. The Legacy,” officiated by the Rev. Scot Moore, pastor of Judah Temple.  The running message was Brown loved God, her family and friends and serving as a leader, educator, and inspiration in the church.

The obituary remembers her as “an anointed, gifted and extraordinary woman, was blessed with an unwavering commitment to God, family and humanity!”

The Rev. Dr. Kathryn Gertrude Brown was associate pastor at Judah Temple AME Zion Church in Bowie, Maryland. (Courtesy Photo)

“We thank you because she is still a gift to the body of Christ,” said the Rev. Dr. Eric Leake, pastor of Martin Temple AME Zion.

While people were saddened by the sudden passing of Brown on April 4, who was 62 when she passed, speakers implored the congregation to find comfort in God.

“Lord we come this morning.  We don’t like what you did, but we still love you.  Tears are streaming down our faces but we still trust you.  We don’t understand how and why you do what you do, but we’re going to still worship you because we came to discover that even in times like these you are still a way-maker, a miracle worker… you are a light in the midst of darkness,” Leake said in the Prayer of Comfort.

Brown, who was born and grew up in New York, loved the church and, according to the obituary, “often said that she believed her parents drove her from Harlem Hospital to Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church where her faith journey began.”

In the acknowledgements Bishop Nathaniel Jarrett, Jr., 2^nd vice chairman on the Board of Christian Education, AME Zion Church, was grief-stricken as he remembered Brown.

“I have never had a death to strike me and take me off my feet as much as did,” he said remembering Brown.  “Feelings aren’t always explainable, they’re just felt.”

Jarrett remembered her with two words, “vision and dreamer.”  He explained visions come from God and given to individuals who are called to share it with others.  Jarrett said Brown was one of those individuals God selected to relay visions.

Referring to her as a dreamer, Jarrett asked, “What happens to the dream when the dreamer’s gone?”

He reminded the congregation to remember Brown’s legacy of service to God and the people and to carry it on in their own lives and work.

“It’s in your hands,” Jarrett said ending his acknowledgements to a roar of claps and Amens.

A host of people spoke in tribute to Brown’s life including her mentor, best friends, leaders of the church, and family.  Bishop W. Darin Moore, Presiding Prelate of the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal District, AME Zion Church delivered the eulogy.

The overarching tone of the “Service of Triumph” was to remember one’s blessings and praise God no matter the sadness or difficulty.

The congregation even had the chance to hear Brown’s own words of encouragement as a screen played an excerpt of a service where she cheered on a choir to sing the song, “The Lord is Blessing Me” as an introduction to Minister Jeremiah Hicks and The Elevation Circle, the group that sang it for the service.

Even though she joked she couldn’t sing well Brown led the choir saying, “I said…The Lord…is Blessing me….Right now,” causing the audience to applaud and get up on their feet to join the live choir in the celebration of Brown’s life.