Pinky Brown

Pinky Lee (Rice) Brown, age 85, of Muskegon Heights, Michigan, transitioned from this earthly realm on November 11, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on February 28, 1940, in Grenada, Mississippi, she was the beloved daughter of James and Bernice Rice. She attended schools in Memphis, Tennessee and Muskegon Heights, MI. In 1956, Pinky married Joseph Brown and though he preceded her in death in 1984, the love they shared remained an enduring legacy to their family.

As a young wife and mother, Pinky Brown worked several jobs with her husband to help support their family. She dedicated 20 years of her life to Michigan Plastics as a spray painter and assembly worker before enjoying her well-earned retirement. Pinky Brown was a woman of great faith and professed the Lord Jesus as her savior. A charter member of Mount Herman Zion Baptist Church, she found purpose and joy serving as an usher, warmly welcoming congregants to the house of worship. Pinky Brown was passionate about her community and cherished her special gathering of friends known as the "Golden Girls," with whom she shared many meals and joyful moments.

Pinky Brown had a warm disposition, infectious smile, and a witty sense of humor. She loved genuinely and served others with intentionality. Pinky was a woman of many talents, enjoying gaming, fishing for perch and bluegills, dancing to the rhythm of her favorite music, and lovingly canning fruits and vegetables. She had a penchant for fashion-hats & fancy shoes; and loved seafood and fragrance. Family was of utmost importance to her, prompting many road trips down Interstate 55 Southbound to visit relatives in Tennessee and Mississippi, while creating lasting memories with her loved ones. She was the Rice family matriarch and historian recounting stories, honoring her ancestors, and educating her descendants of their lineage and legacy.

Pinky Brown leaves to cherish her memories with her beloved children: Elizabeth (Gary) Morris, Jeffery (Faye) Brown, Crystal (Ronnie) Matthews, Tonette (Edward) Brown Garner, and Joseph Brown, Jr. (all of Muskegon, MI); 11 grandchildren: Joseph "Joey" Brown, Justin Brown, Jeffery Brown, Shelby Brown, Shundrice Brown, Karissa Matthews-Pender, Ronnie Matthews, Mehean Quinn, Dalrecus Stewart, Terrance Stewart, and Thomas "Nick" Stewart; 20 great grandchildren; and one great-great granddaughter; sisters-in-law: Barbara Lenoir, Pearlie Branch, Ophelia Taylor, Luceal McCoy, Thelma McField, and Louise Brown; cousins: Collie Donson-Harrison, Samella Brown, and Dorothy Jean (Marble) Green; Bertha Quinn (bonus daughter), and a host of nieces, nephews, and loving friends.

Pinky Brown is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Brown, Sr.; parents, James and Bernice (Worship) Rice; grandparents, Martin and Madora (Glover) Worship, Golden and Pinky (Hall) Rice; daughter, Valerie (Thomas) Stewart; Uncle, Andrew (Gracie) Rice, and brothers, Joe Willie Rice and Don "Noon" Lenoir.

Announcement of Service:

Visitation will be held at Mount Herman Zion Baptist Church on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM, with the Celebration of Life to immediately follow at 12:00 PM with Rev. John L. Parker officiating service. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

Location of visitation and Celebration of Life: 2400 Sanford St, Muskegon Heights, MI. 49444.

To honor the life of Pinky Lee Brown and share your memories, please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a message or sign the online guestbook. She will be dearly missed, yet her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, But thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: But a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her own works praise her in the gates." - Proverbs 31:28