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1953
2025
Deborah Lynn Brown, age 71, passed from this life into life eternal on July 28, 2025, in the comfort of her home, leaving a legacy of love, faith, service and strength.
Funeral will be held at 11am Friday, August 1, 2025, at South Flint Tabernacle, G3450 Saginaw Street, Burton. Bishop Robert Henson and Pastor Jason McGhee officiating.
Visitation will be held from 3-5 and 6-8 Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Swartz Funeral Home 1225 W. Hill Rd. Flint, and Friday, August 1, 2025, at 10am at the church till the time of service.
She was born on December 7, 1953, to Robert Franklin Shumaker and Merry Joyce Shumaker (Sloan). Debbie grew up on the shores of Lake Fenton, where her love for the water was born and never faded. Her life was forever changed when she found her spiritual home at South Flint Tabernacle, where she fell deeply in love with the Lord and the church community.
On February 11, 1983, she married Raymond Brown, and together they began a lifelong journey of serving God—a calling that shaped every part of their shared life. She worked many years at General Motors, served in volunteer and staff capacities at Tabernacle Christian Academy, as well as at Daystar Childcare Center.
She was a godly example and mentor to her family and many others. A lifelong learner with a love for reading, she was a teacher at heart. Whether in the classroom or through countless volunteer roles, she poured herself into the lives of children, always seeking to nurture, guide, and encourage. For many years, she and Ray faithfully ran a church bus route, bringing children and families to worship. Together, they also led the children’s ministry at South Flint Tabernacle, planting seeds of faith that continue to grow through their family. They started a legacy of Children’s Ministry that has run through their family.
Debbie was known for her thoughtfulness and her deep desire to help others. She never sought the spotlight, preferring instead to lift up those around her through prayer and quiet acts of kindness and grace. She was a true lady.
Together Debbie and Ray raised four children, Paul, James, Andrew and Deborah. Debbie was also like a second mother to Rev. Michael (Cindy) Brown. As a teacher at heart, she taught her children MANY lessons, whether they were ready to listen or not. Her home was known as a safe and fun hangout for the youth of SFT, and she was famous for her Saturday morning pancake breakfast buffet and her sausage gravy and biscuits.
The arrival of grandchildren brought Debbie a new level of joy. She was always caring for little ones—whether at home or at church—delighting in every moment spent with her grandchildren. Before worship services, she could almost always be found either in the prayer room or working in the SFT shop and usually had one or more of her grandchildren with her. She was teaching them with her words and her actions how to serve God and serve their church.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Ray Brown; her children, Rev. Paul (Rebekah) Brown, Rev. James (Rachel) Brown, Rev. Andrew (Tiffany) Brown, Deborah (Garett) Knapp, as well as an unofficially adopted, but loved, son, Rev. Anthony (Laura) Gonzalez; grandchildren: Elliana, Kaleb, Isaac, Austin, Alaynna, Preston, Gabrielle and Judah; sister, Pam (Bob) Perkins, brother, Robert (Becki) Shumaker, many special aunts, cousins and dear friends, all of whom were touched by her sweet spirit and faithful devotion to Jesus Christ.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Deborah Lynn Brown lived a life that radiated the love of Christ—quietly, faithfully, and powerfully. Her memory will continue to shine as a guiding light for all who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the South Flint Tabernacle Building Fund.
32 Entries
Kathie Sytek Little
July 31, 2025
Debbie was my best friend in high school. We shared many fun times on Lake Ponemah, walking to the famous Frank's Tavern for takeout fish dinner's and just hanging out. She showed me how to find my 1st job at ACSparkplug too. We shared so much fun together.
RIP Debbie
Bonita Thomas
July 31, 2025
I'm so very sorry for this beautiful family's loss! Sis Brown was always such a sweet kind woman to me each time I saw her! For her family,I send prayers of comfort & my condolences wrapped in a Big (((Hug))) for her dear family & friends
Nicole Ross
July 31, 2025
Debbie was the sweetest, most kind, and one of the most endearing people I have ever met. She had the most beautiful soul and her hugs were the best. We are so saddened by her loss but grateful she is no longer in pain. Please give NaNa a big hug from all of us. You will truly be missed. Love, Mark, Nicole, Jakob, Victoria and Junior.
Waynette Sharp
July 30, 2025
Debbie was one of the most caring person I know I’ll miss her so much but I know she’s at peace
Amber Parker
July 30, 2025
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Shawn Neumann
July 30, 2025
Our family did not know Deborah personally, but she was lifted up in prayer by my wife Sharon and I. We know her legacy she has left behind by the quality of character reflected in her loved ones and friends and their love of the Lord and service to His Kingdom. Our condolences and prayers for her family, from the Neumann family.
Marie Martinez-Nichols
July 30, 2025
Rest in peace my friend. Thank you for giving us Andrew and loving and caring for my Tiffany and our Judah.
Isaiah 57:2 NLT
For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.
Marie Martinez-Nichols
July 30, 2025
Debbie was such an amazing, sweet and thoughtful woman who shared her love of humanity and Jesus with me and our grandson Judah. Always smiling and sharing her prayer with me. Although I did not know her well, she touched my heart to the core with her genuine love. I will miss her kind words and the love she bestowed on our grandson Judah Brown. Rest in God's loving arms, no more pain, my friend.
Bethany Chevrette
July 30, 2025
My prayers and deepest condolences for her family.
New Life Pregnancy Resource Center
July 30, 2025
Pastor Paul and Bekah, We are so so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. I know her days are glorious as she stands in the presence of her Beloved, Savior, where there is fullness of joy, but your hearts will need time to adjust to her advancement. We love your precious family and are hugging you in prayer.
Janet Tilley
July 30, 2025
Ray, I am so sorry for your loss. Even though I only knew Debbie for a couple of years I really enjoyed enjoyed our time together. Our lunches at Bob Evan’s was a special time for me. She will definitely be missed. God got a special angel in Debbie!
Gilda King
July 30, 2025
I'm so sorry for your loss I only new her for a few years. She was so sweet and loving! I seen the love of God all over her ❤ . I was privileged to know her. My prayers go out to the family She will be missed love you all !
Pastor John & Sis. Clydell McKenney Sr
July 29, 2025
Sis Brown was a very sweet and very quiet person, that always smiled. She was the teacher of our children and gave them lots of encouragement. She will be sadly missed. We will be praying for the Brown Family.
Delores Rupright
July 29, 2025
I only met Sister Brown one time, but she was very gracious, and sweet. Prayers for her family and all who loved her.
melanie bailey
July 29, 2025
so sorry to hear about the loss of this great sister there is a million things i can say about her but one thing that stick to me the most is sis debbie was always at church no matter how she was feelin even at prayer meetin on monday she never miss one cause of how she was feeling she push thru and c ame to church and praise God and even prayed with others she never let her faith waiver she always kept the faith and now she has won her race and she dancing on street of Gold her family will miss her her church family will miss her and those u knew her will miss her sis debbie this isnt goodbye it see u later on the other side the family is in my prayers
Mark Welch
July 29, 2025
What a wonderful godly lady. Heaven has gained someone special. Prayers of comfort for all of the family and friends. May the Lord be with you.
Margo Thomas
July 29, 2025
Years ago when my husband & I and baby girl (Maranda) moved to Flint and attended SFT, I found "Sister Debbie" to be a beautiful kindred spirit. Many wonderful conversations that we had about our precious Lord & Savior Jesus Christ and raising children, brought us together in a sweet bond of friendship that remain in my memories 40 years later.
Sweet "Sister Debbie", we can enjoy each other's company in the presence of our Wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus, sometime in eternity.
Praying for a blanket of God's peace over Bro. Ray, children and grandchildren.
Christine Miller
July 29, 2025
To Ray and family:May the Lord shine his light on Debbie's beautiful face forever and give you all comfort in the days ahead. You simply had the Best. Your loss is definitely heaven's gain.✝
Cynthia Bridges
July 29, 2025
Sister Brown was very sweet soft spoken lady, she will be missed. Condolences to the family.
July 29, 2025
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Deborah Porter
July 29, 2025
Sis Debbie was soft spoken and sweet, she should always tell me I’m praying for you. As I was for her, take your rest sweet woman of God. You will be missed
Jeremy Bigelow
July 29, 2025
You can often see the character of a person reflected in the children they raise. Sister Debbie’s children are a true testament to her faith and love for Jesus. Well done, Sister Debbie! Lifting the family up in prayer.
Beatrice Gonzalez
July 29, 2025
When I became a member of SFT back in 1987, Sis. Debbie Brown was one of many mothers that helped me with my children. She would bring be suits for my 4 sons already together with shirt and ties. She helped me with finishing my son Anthony Gonzalez Jr. in paying his way to finish his schooling. She was a beautiful and giving person. I will miss my sons (Anthony) second mother as I would call her. I will always appreciate all she did to help me along the way with my family.
Lynne Montney
July 29, 2025
I met Sister Debbie when I joined their cell group. She was there for me during the hardest time of my life. I will never forget what she did for me. I will always love her and I'm grateful to have known her.
Dafora Burnett
July 29, 2025
Sis Debbie, was a beautiful woman of God. I love being in her presence, soft spoken, sweet smile and you can feel the love she had. I will miss her, she was very special to me. Praying for the family.
Vikita Patton
July 29, 2025
Her sweet soft spoken voice and spirit was a true testament of the Love of God I know she is with the Lord continued love and prayers for the entire Brown family.
Pauline Wallace
July 29, 2025
Sister Debbie Brown was a great spiritual role model to me and great friend and sister in the Lord. she always prayed with me always had encouraging words for me even when she was sick she prayed with me and had encourageing words for me. Thank you sister Debbie for being a spiritual role model and for always praying for me and always encouraging me and being my friend and a sister in the Lord you will be very missed.
Holly Drinkwine
July 29, 2025
you was a beautiful faithful woman of God .
Roni Kardos
July 29, 2025
Raymond and family, God bless you all at this difficult time!
Sherrie Warren
July 28, 2025
I met Sis Brown a few times wh
through visiting my Church in Gaylord Mi as she is my Pastor, Pastor Paul Brown's mother! She was always ready to greet you with a smile and or hug! Such a warm quite humble woman of God! She carried herself like a kings daughter, with such a graceful spirit! I always loved seeing her and talking with her when they visited the Church! You will be missed my dear friend! You fought a good fight! You are home now and in the loving fathers arms! But we will meet again. Till then rest and enjoy the glory! ❤
Marcia Skinner
July 28, 2025
I met Debbie 46 years ago, she was always soft spoken and sweet. She raised four outstanding children, three boys and one lovely daughter. Her and her husband taught them all to love and serve God. She will be missed by everyone that she has met.
Shawn Kenny
July 28, 2025
I’m so very sorry for the pain you have endured. God Bless you and comfort your family ❤❤.
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