Ms. Mary Louise Brown, 88, of Charleston, SC, entered eternal rest on Friday, June 3, 2022.

MASK REQUIRED!
Saturday, June 11, 2022
Ebenezer A. M.E. Church
44 Nassau Street
Charleston, SC
Viewing: 9:00 AM
Celebration of Life Service: 10:00 AM

Interment: Live Oak Memorial Garden
Highway 61, Charleston SC

OBITUARY

Prologue

Mary Louise Steplight Brown was born June 17, 1933 to her parents, Mae Alma Simmons Steplight and Edward "Dyke" Moultrie Steplight in Ravenel, SC and had one sibling, a brother Edwin M. Steplight. She was proud to be delivered by her paternal grandmother, Harriet Powell Steplight who was a well known midwife in the area. She passed away on Friday morning, June 3rd.

Education: Mary Louise went to Rantowles Elementary School and thereafter attended and graduated from J. C. Burke Industrial School in 1951. She continued her education at Roper Hospital School of Practical Nursing, graduating in 1953 with a diploma but had to wait until after her 21st birthday to sit for the licensure exam which was in November. She became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1954. Momma, as she was affectionately called, said she was the first Black LPN from the Ravenel area. Russell, Jr. and Jennifaye followed her and pursued careers in healthcare. Dr. Russell E. Brown, Jr. is a physician, board certified in neurology and psychiatry and Dr. Jennifaye V. Brown is a PhD-trained physical therapist, board certified in neurology.

Professional Career: Mary Louise worked for 13 years at Roper Hospital and then became employed at the Charleston Naval Hospital in July of 1967 and was a faithful employee until her retirement on May 3, 1997. She was member #48 of the Association of Practical Nurses and starting in January of 1967, she kept meticulous records of paying her local and national dues, $100.00 and $25.00, respectively. Steplight as Mary Louise was called on the job, was well respected and thoroughly enjoyed what she did. She took numerous continuing education courses related to nursing and computers to maintain her skills. Areas of employment included the Nursery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics-Gynecology, Medical-Surgery, Internal Medicine Clinic, Intensive Care Unit, and the Naval Weapons Station Clinic. Her favorite area of hospital care was Medical-Surgery. Mary Louise won numerous awards for demonstrating compassionate care. Additional recognitions for exemplary service were as follows:
Charleston Naval Hospital Performance Award
• For having exceeded the Fully Successful Rating for the Rating Cycle ending 30 September 1991
Department of the Navy Length of Service Award
• 20 Years 1987
• 25 Years 1992
Honorably Retired, Charleston Naval Hospital
• 30 Years of Service: July of 1967 to May of 1997

Church Life: Mary Louise was baptized and raised in St. Paul AME Church, Hollywood, SC, the home church of her parents. Thereafter, she was a faithful member of Ebenezer AME Church at 44 Nassau Street in the city of Charleston since the 1st Sunday in November, 1963. She became a member of the Senior Choir that year and remained a member until a decline in health in 2014. As a choir member, she served as the Financial Secretary. Her class leaders were Herman Young and Vivian Frost. She was a member of the J.S. Hunter Club. She assisted in the work of the Junior Choir, Young People's Division, Sunday School and the Junior Usher board, as her children were involved.

Family: Mary Louise was married to Russell E. Brown, Sr. and had three children: Russell E. Brown, Jr., Jennifaye V. Brown, and Arylette R. Brown. She has one grandson, Russell E. Brown, III. She has two God-daughter's: Michelle Brown and Anita Sanders and her namesake Alma Louise Williams who was known as Tippy. She adored her former daughter-in-law Dr. Lisa Judge and her mother, Mrs. Marie Judge. Mary Louise was affectionately known as Cuzn Weez to many and loved entertaining and cooking food for family and friends who traveled from near and far. She was extremely proud of the accomplishments of her children and had the "best bragging rights wall" at the nursing home.

Epilogue
'All About Me'

Name: Mary
My job was: Nursing - LPN
I am from: Ravenel, SC
Important People in My Life:
Parents: Edward & Mae
Spouse (Former): Russell
Children: Russell, Jennifaye & Arylette
Grandchildren: Yes – Russell
Pets: Siamese Cat; Dogs: Curly & Tojo
My Favorites:
Color: Orange
Food: Grapes & Pecans
Music: Lou Rawls
TV Show: Golden Girls, The Cosby Show & The Jeffersons
Things that make me happy: Going out to eat (California Dreaming), fresh salads, gardening, traveling with others
Things that bother me: Snotty attitude