On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, Mary Jaunita (Barnes) Brown, after a long illness, passed away peacefully at George Washington University Hospital.  She was born on December 22, 1934, at Freedman Hospital in Washington, D.C. to the late, Paul and Henrietta Barnes.  One of eleven children, Mary was raised in a loving home where she learned the value(s) of sharing, compassion, love, and hard work.

Mary received her education while attending Amma Don Elementary, Jefferson Jr. High, and Saint Cyprian High School.  She worked at Aristo's Cleaners for five years before working for the D.C. Public Schools as a Teacher's Aide for over 35 years.

In 1958, Mary was united in marriage to the late Howard E. Brown Jr. (aka B.O.Y. or Bill) whom she enjoyed a magical journey of 51 years of marriage until his death in 2009.  Interesting, this marriage, as special as it was, may never have happened. You see, she first met Howard while he was delivering the newspaper to her parents' home. But her father, a protective dad, warned Howard to stay away.  Eventually, after meeting at the Washington Skating Rink, they started dating and the rest is history.

Mary's kindness, generosity, and humor touched everyone from family, to neighbors, to friends. She was funny and quick-witted. When you met her, you knew she cared about you. She loved to sing, participating in choir(s) at Assumption or St. Teresa Catholic Church(s).

Mary was a sports competitor. She enjoyed playing and watching sports.  At family cookouts, if there was a game being played (kickball, volleyball, or football), she competed and played to win.  She loved her Washington Redskins Football Team. On Sundays, you could always find her sitting in front of the television cheering for her favorite team.  She also loved her Washington Senators Baseball Team.  Her favorite players were Frank (Hondo) Howard, Eddie Brinkman, and Mike Epstein. Whenever there was a "Bat Day" or "Ball Day" giveaway event at RFK Stadium, she would gather her boys and take them to the games so they could get their own Baseball or Baseball Bat.  On Saturdays, you could find her at Caper's Recreation Center watching a Stonewall's Softball game or at Spingarn Senior High School watching a Stonewall's Football game.

Mary loved to dance.  And she could. If there was a song or dance, she knew it. From the "Jitterbug" to the "Bunny Hop" to the "Twist" to Hand Dancing" or "Line Dancing", she knew them all.  And while she loved all genres of music, her favorite song was "Please Mr. Postman" by the Marvelettes.

Mary dedicated her life to raising her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. With Howard, she had an unbreakable bond with her family which she cherished until the day she died. She was preceded in death by her children, Alphonso S. Barnes, Mary P. Harden, and William Brown. She is survived by her children Howard III, Michael (Beatrice), James, Theodore (Shawn), Jacqueline, and Michelle, a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephew and nieces, her caregiver, Bjobe Bertha, and neighbors who she considered family.

The world will be a different place without the joy that Mary brought to all who knew her. She will be missed and forever loved by those who know her.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday August 9th at the Assumption Roman Catholic Church - 3401 Martin L King Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC 20032 where the family will receive friends from 10:00AM - 11:00AM with services to follow.

The interment will be held at the Washington National Cemetery, 4101 Suitland Rd, Suitland-Silver Hill, MD 20746 immediately following services.