OLLIE B. (DURANT) BROWN, was born September 11, 1914 to Mary Miller Durant and Edward Frank Durant in Memphis, TN. She was the longest survivor of six children from Mary Miller and Edward Frank. She was preceded in death by her one brother, Emitt Carl and five sisters, Lorraine, Beatrice, Willie, Lillie and Elizabeth.

She attended Grant Elementary School and Booker T. Washington High School. She accepted Christ at an early age and united with the old St. Paul Baptist Church on Jackson Avenue where she discovered her signing voice.

She later moved to Chicago, IL, where she met the love of her life Cedric Brown, and married. He was called to war and she returned to Memphis. She continued her fellowship with St. Paul Baptist Church until the church moved because of urban renewal. She later united with her present church, Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church, pastoral by the late Rev. E. T. Jennings. She served faithfully as a choir member, later as the Director of the Sanctuary Choir, finally as the Vice President of the Mother's Board.

Ollie was a hard-worker, and embraced life whole heartedly. She took all her duties very seriously and always wanted to ensure things were done in an orderly and correct manner. She loved to cook and often had large dinners for her family and friends. She loved to read. She had a deep respect for learning and would often discuss the politics of the day. She loved watching TV, especially western. She loved fashion, especially hats. She loved to travel and often spoke of the many, many places she was blessed to visit. Now God has called his faithful servant home to Him.

She is survived by her hour children, O. Christine Brown-Smith, Bruce D. Brown (Jacqueline), James E. Wilkes III, Wilma Carson-Boyd (Daniel) and beloved goddaughters, Janie Holmes and Ellen Lacey (Tom), Bernice Aldridge and their children, her grandchildren, Timothy L. Smith, Theresa Ann Wilkes, Bruce B. Brown (Anessa), Gwendolyn R. Wilkes-Landon, Kelly D. Brown-Morris, Christopher G. Jones, Sharonda L. Wilkes, Ginger R. Brown, eight great-grandchildren, nieces, Wanda Jones, Karen Jones-Curry, Kia Curry, Rosita Brewster, nephews, Darryl Brewster and Jefrey Jones, extended family and friends.