Wilda Janell Brown, age 63, daughter of Leroy and Ruthye Brunt Smith, went home to be with the Lord on January 2, 2018. She was born on February 22, 1954 in Douglas, Georgia.

Wilda spent her early childhood years in Miami with her loving aunt Thelma.  Wilda, her sister Brenda and cousin Merle enjoyed many summer vacations in Miami with their grandparents. She attended public school in Daytona and Titusville. Wilda was baptized at an early age. She was a former member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. Wilda was a bit of a “trailblazer”.  She took great pride in the fact that she was the first African-American cheerleader at Parkway Junior High School.

She graduated from Titusville High School in 1972. After graduation, she moved to Miami, Florida. It was there she met and married Samuel Brown, her husband of 43 years. Wilda attended Miami Dade Junior College and graduated with an Associate of Arts degree. She worked in customer service at Sears for several years.

Wilda spent 20 years as a military wife. There were many memories created along the way. The family grew with the births of their four children, Tangela, Aaron, Kevin and Sabrina. In the spring of 1993, her life was changed forever with the tragic death of her son Aaron at the age of 12.  Her heart was forever broken. The family returned to the comfort of family in Titusville for a brief period after his death.

Sam, Wilda and their family later settled in Jacksonville. It was there where Wilda found her true calling. She enjoyed caring for others and spent many years as a certified nursing assistant and caretaker.  She often said caring for others was the best job she ever had. Wilda loved the Lord. She loved her family. She loved taking care of others. She leaves behind a host of family, relatives and friends to mourn her passing.

She is survived by her husband Samuel Brown Jr.; two daughters Tangela Brown, Titusville, FL and Sabrina Brown, Jacksonville, FL; a son Kevin Brown, Jacksonville, FL; parents Leroy and Rev. Ruthye Smith, Titusville, FL; three sisters Brenda (Ronald) Blossom, Orlando, FL,  Kathy (Raul) Cancela, Rex, GA and Ina Sue (Jerome) Massaline, a brother Michael (Lynn) Smith, three grandchildren Ciara Dixon, Kennedy Brown and Rhagin Fayson, Titusville, FL; a great-grandchild Navi Ford, Titusville, FL, an aunt Reva Clayton, Detroit, MI,  a cousin Isaac Merle Scott III, a niece Bria Blossom, Tampa, FL and many  other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her son, Aaron Brown. 

The family will receive guests starting at 10am for a Celebration of Life Memorial Service which will take place at 11am Friday, January 12, 2018 at Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32211 with Chris Reynolds, Senior Pastor, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Jonesboro, GA officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32211 (904) 724-6384.