Joyce Marie Brown

Joyce Marie Brown, 86, of Aurora, passed away October 19, 2018.

She was born May 8, 1932 in Kingston, Jamaica, the daughter of Prince Rowley and Mae (Brissett) Birkbeck.

When Mae met and married Clifford Birkbeck, Joyce found a father figure early in life who would be very instrumental in providing guidance throughout her life. He was an affectionate but firm presence when she needed in most. She proved to be an excellent scholar during high school years, so much so that she was recommended for scholarship to the University of the West Indies. Unfortunately, the 1940's and Caribbean culture was not conducive to higher education for young women of that era. Though disappointed, Joyce then did what would come natural to her throughout her adult life. She picked herself up, put on her big girl pants and pushed through to what came next in life. She married George Walker in 1956 and gave birth to her son, Devon in August of that year. In 1962 she met Eleazar Brown and began a romance that would result in marriage in 1963 and her only daughter, Sophia, was born in November 1964. While settled into family life Joyce knew she wanted more for herself and her family going foward and the USA was where she would find the best opportunities. The family emigrated to America in 1969, where they reunited with Clifford and Mae residing in the Bronx. While doing odd jobs she set out to forge a career in nursing which she accomplished first at Goldwater Memorial and next as a pediatric nurse at Lincoln Hospital. She retired from nursing in 1994 and moved to Colorado to be close to her grandchildren, son and daughter-in-law. In 2009 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and has lived with the debilitating disease until the Lord called her home of October 19, 2018.

Joyce is survived by her son, Devon (Carol) Walker; daughter, Sophia G. Brown; grandson, Jason D. Walker; granddaughter, Shannon A. Walker; three great-grandchildren, Aurielle-June T. Walker, Adonis D. Mitchell, and Amani Marie Mitchell; two brothers, Renaldo Birkbeck and Ivanhoe Birkbeck; Sister, Aloma (Mudie) Stephenson. She is preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Mae Birkbeck; brother, Lloyd Rowley; and sister, Emelia Bennett.

To share a memory of Joyce or leave a special condolence message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.