A Time To Be Born:

Joann Allen Brown was born October 1, 1952 in Baker County, Georgia to the late Harden Allen Jr. and Ollie Mae Mitchell Allen.  She was the second oldest of seven children.

A Time To Plant:

Joann (Apostle Brown) accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Springfield Missionary Baptist Church (Baker County) and was active in all areas of the church and the community, but especially ministry through prayers, songs and praise.  After marriage, she joined and served at the Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Camilla, Georgia.  Hearing and adhering to the call to preach God's words, four years ago she became the pastor, servant and counselor of Genuine Apostolic Ministries in Pelham, Georgia.   Apostle Joann Brown planted many seeds and was a born again Christian, an anointed preacher, teacher, mother, sister, friend and counselor to many.  God watered all of her seeds that were planted.

A Time To Serve:

Joann (as called by many) was happily married to Deacon Robert Brown Jr. for over thirty years.  She was the mother of three young men, Ellis A. Thomas Jr., Robert Brown III and Anthony S. Brown and a proud grandmother.  She loved her immediate family (especially her grandchildren), her beloved church, the community and all mankind.

She lived by the saying, "If I can help somebody as I pass this way, my living will not be in vain." She served diligently until God called her home.

A Time To Learn, Grow and Serve All Mankind:

Joann attended public school and graduated from the Baker County School System and continued her education in the medical profession by becoming a registered nurse.  As a nurse, God ordered her steps as she administered the appropriate medical service and words of encouragement and comfort to the patients and their families.  She worked in the medical field for over forty years.

Apostle Joann Brown was the first black Director of Nurses for Mitchell County Hospital.  She was awarded Nurse of the year on June 7, 1990 by The Executive Board of the Archbold Memorial Hospital of Thomasville, Georgia. In 2006, she was awarded Nurses of the Year by  Archbold Dialysis Center.  She was so compassionate and dedicated to her staff and patients that her staff and Medical Director, Dr. Daryl Crenshaw referred to her as "Momma Jo."

Apostle Joann Brown was a graduate of the Zion Christian Bible Institute Inc. of Thomasville, Ga.  She made history by becoming the first female preacher to receive a License and Ordination in a Primitive Baptist Church under the Umbrella of Overseer, Dr. William L. Bradley and the Zion Bible College.

A Time To Study and Exemplify Christ:

Apostle Joann Brown was a walking miracle. She survived breast cancer twice by God's Grace and continued to serve and worship God daily through all obstacles.  She never complained or questioned God, even when "cancer struck again."   Many can attest to her prayer life and her faith walk.  She saw God perform many miracles in her life and the lives of those who came in contact with her. She trusted God with her whole heart, mind, body and soul and encouraged everyone  to always "Put Everything in God's hand."   She was also the author of  a book entitled, "Set Up by God" that had been read by many.

A Time To Rest:

On October 15, 2019, Joann died quietly with her family by her side.

A Time To Cherish:

She leaves to cherish her memory, a loving and devoted husband for over 30 years, Deacon Robert Brown Jr. of Camilla, Georgia; three children Ellis Thomas, Valdosta, Georgia, Robert Brown Jr. (Jessica), Hiram, Georgia, Anthony Brown (Jade'), Camilla, Georgia; four siblings, Mary (Charles) Mack, Lithonia, Georgia, Glenn (Annette) Allen, Albany, Georgia, Shanta (Adrian) Hughley, Snellville, Georgia and Cedric (Shanta) Allen, Duluth, Georgia; three sisters-in law, Bobbie-Ann Virgil, Iola Brown, and Marie Peoples (Sammy); one brother-in law, Bruce Brown; six grandchildren,  Marlisa Brown, Robert C. Brown, Aiden Brown, Trebor Brown, Mahagony McCormick, and Braylyn Brown; a host of  aunts, uncles, church family, cousins, other relatives and friends.