Lillian was the seventh child born to Fontella & Ike Johnson on September 2, 1937, in Birmingham, AL. She was educated in the Birmingham public schools. At 3 years old, her older sister taught her how to read. Lillian always spoke her mind. When she was 3 years old she took a train trip with her parents. Her father asked the porter to bring him a cup of coffee, she added, “Bring me some of that d… coffee too!” She attended AME Zion Church of Birmingham where she dedicated her life to the Lord.
Ike Johnson, was a math genius. Apparently she inherited his smarts because she advanced twice and graduated at 15 years old. She waited a year to attend college because the age requirement was 16. She attended Alabama State in Birmingham studying Elementary Education. After 2 years, she moved to San Diego to attend SDSU.
She met Henry Brown Jr., the love of her life, and married a year later. Henry was stationed near Oakland and she lived with her in-laws, they were then stationed in Guam, and settled in San Diego.
She was employed by San Diego Unified School District at Fulton Elementary as a Teacher’s Assistant, then Director of the Magnet Reading program. She retired when Kim was expecting her first grandchild, Pablo, to provide childcare for him. Several families were her former students and teachers from Fulton. Someone said you always knew where you stood with Mrs. Brown! She was an honest person and helped anyone in need.
Lillian passed away on September 3, 2024.
Lillian was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Henry Brown, Jr., sons; Troy and Henry III, parents, & 6 of her 9 siblings.
She leaves to cherish her memory her sister Theresa Ellis, Fairburn, GA, children; Kim Ceniceros of Escondido, CA, Kenneth Brown of Oakland, CA, Valerie Brown of Bremerton, WA, Vanessa (Miguel) Espinal of Fontana, CA, Tracy (Shay) Brown of Manteca, CA, 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and a host of nephews, nieces,
cousins, friends & neighbors.
