M. Brown

BROWN, M. MARQUITA, Age 92, was welcomed home to be with the Lord April 21, 2008 from her daughter's residence. Her homegoing will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at Dozier Memorial C.M.E. Church 3212 S. Saginaw St., Flint, Rev. Charles Braddock officiating. Interment will be in River Rest cemetery near her husband and sister. Visitation will be held on Monday from 12 to 8 PM at the Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and from 10-11 AM Tuesday at the church. Marquita was born in Anniston, Alabama, November 18, 1915. As a young adult she moved to Chicago, marrying in 1939. With her husband and daughter she moved to Flint in 1955, affiliating with Dozier Memorial C.M.E. Church shortly thereafter. There she has remained a faithful and dutiful member. Widowed in 1966, Marquita continued to work and was the first black woman to retire from Michigan Bell Telephone Company. An exemplary mother and role model for her daughter, she became more active in the community after Camille finished college. A Big Sister for over 30 years, she also league bowled for 20 years and was a member and office holder of R.S.V.P. and the National Council of Negro Women. These responsibilities were coupled with volunteering and participating in activities at both Hasselbring and Haskell Senior Centers. A charter member of AARP Genesee County Chapter, Marquita dutifully served as its first secretary. Until her health failed, she was addicted to scrabble, "The Price is Right", "Jeopardy" and "The Wheel of Fortune". A lifelong learner, her passion for travel continued until 6 months before her death. Her international travel began in the 1970s to the Far East, Scandinavia, Western Europe and The Holy Land. She occasionally accompanied her daughter when she took her students to Montreal and Quebec City, Paris and on African American Heritage tours. She crisscrossed North America from Alaska to San Diego to Toronto to Miami. 13 cruises carried her over the Mediterranean and the eastern, southern and western Caribbean, plus Hawaii and through the Panama Canal. She leaves to cherish her memories daughter, Marquita Camille (William) Coleman, sisters, Georgia M. Summers and Mary Northington, 3 grand-daughters, Natalie Johnson and Noelle and Nicole Epps, 4 great-grandsons, Maurice, Brandon, and Bryce Epps and Dallas Johnson, 1 great-granddaughter, Caprice Epps, 1 niece, Claudia Moguel, 1 nephew, Christopher Northington, and 1 great-niece, Joy Moguel and a host of friends. Marquita was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, father, George Summers, mother, LeeOpie Summers, beloved step-mother, Janie Summers, twin sisters, Caridad and Katie Summers, and brother, Walter Whatley. A special thanks to Dr. Botchuwa, Loving Hands, Avalon Hospice and the entire Dozier family.

M. Brown

November 18, 1915 - April 21, 2008