Josephine Burdette Brown Senior Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Submitted by: Caryl James, 6th Episcopal District
On a beautiful, bright, sunny day in December 2020, in Covington, Georgia, members of the Atlanta East District Lay Organization, church family, community members, and the Newton County Board of Directors gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Josephine Burdette Brown, Senior Citizens Center. The 14,100 sq. foot facility was the dream and brainchild of Sister Josephine B. Brown for more than 25 years. When she retired in 2016 as the Director, the facility was 6,300 sq, ft. Sister Brown, a visionary, “dreamed” of a beautiful facility where seniors of Newton County could go to exercise, read, create arts and crafts, produce and conduct performing arts in an environment that is welcoming to them. Due to her diligence, even in retirement, the Newton County elected officials, who were present for the ceremony, along with her previous staff and community members were determined to make it a reality!! With a staff of 25, including volunteers, the new 7,800 sq. ft. addition to the existing building features a library, computer lab, arts & crafts, quilting, and sewing rooms, ceramic and exercise facility and a banquet/dining room that accommodates 300. There is a special room, where the 45-member “Voices of Wisdom” choir practices, prior to performances and rooms for the drama, book, and travel clubs. The center which feeds about 150 seniors in-house every day also delivers 150 meals to the homebound. The 3 full-time and 3 part-time drivers transport the seniors to and from the center and will also drive them on errands. This is an amazing place for seniors to “hang out.”
Sister Josephine Brown, a committed community activist, is a chartered member of the Newton County African American Council of the Arts, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Golden Links Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, Georgia Gerontology Society, NAACP, and many other civic and social organizations in Newton County.
A 5th generation AME, Sister Brown has been a member of Graves Chapel AME Church, in Social Circle, Georgia, located in Newton County, for more than 50 years. At 150 years, Graves Chapel AME Church, in the Atlanta East District, is one of the oldest African American Church in Newton County. The church is part of the Atlanta North Georgia Annual Conference, in the Sixth Episcopal District. Her pastor is Reverend Charlie F. Stembridge; Presiding Elder, Reverend Dr. Thomas L. Bess, Sr, and Bishop Reginald T. Jackson is the presiding prelate. As a member of Graves Chapel, she serves as a Steward, Women Missionary Society, Lay, and served as THE YPD Director at the local, district, and conference levels for 25 years.
Sister Brown is the widow of Mr. Dave William Brown of Albany, Georgia. She is the mother of two daughters, Katrina Farley and Tia Stevens and the grandmother of Whytne, Kourtnii, Nigel and Kaden.
During their 2020 LayPerson of the Year program the Atlanta East District Lay Organization celebrated Sister Brown, along with Sister Kassandra Andrews and Sister Jean Swafford as “Living Legends” in recognition of their outstanding service, commitment, and contributions to the Lay Organization.
This is truly a life well lived and committed to God!
