Phyllis E. Littlejohn Brown

Phyllis E. Littlejohn Brown, 65, of East Providence, R.I. passed away peacefully at Miriam Hospital, surrounded by her family, Monday, September 18th, 2017. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Aaron M. Littlejohn, Sr. & the late Jeanette (Williams) Littlejohn. She was the loving wife of the late Ronald F. Brown.

Phyllis received both her B.S. Degree in Music Education (Voice Concentration), & her M.A. Degree in Counseling, from R.I. College. She retired in 2007 with the State of R.I. within the Dept. of Labor & Training where she served as Senior Employment & Training Manager. She was also an adjunct Professor at the University of R.I. in the Women’s Studies department. Most recently, Phyllis worked part-time for Tennis Rhode Island (E. Prov.) as Assistant Manager. Phyllis had a passion for, & was an avid player of tennis. She was inspired by the Williams sisters, & played in various leagues over the years, winning several awards & gaining a respected reputation and track record. She loved to bake sweets, & became known for her cakes. She enjoyed music of all kinds, & sang like an angel.

Phyllis is survived by her sons McGeary S. Brown of Gilbert, Arizona (his wife Devin); & Ryen A. Brown of East Providence. She had two grandchildren who affectionately referred to her as Grandma “Gigi”, Jayla & Maia Brown. Besides children & grandchildren, she leaves sisters Patricia A. Tamlin of Murrieta, CA, Marilyn Washington & Harriet L. Doran both of Providence, RI, & Antoinette Littlejohn of Rumford, RI; brothers Aaron M. Littlejohn, Jr. of Billings, Montana, Ralph Littlejohn of Los Angeles, CA, & Rickia Littlejohn of Coventry, RI; sisters-in-law Dotti, Paulette, and Nancy. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was a sister of the first African American to die in the Vietnam war from RI, McGeary Littlejohn.

Additionally, she was part of the building of a large “village” of close, extended family and friends from all across the great state of RI and beyond whom she loved, & who loved her dearly back.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, September 26, 2017 from 4-8 PM in the Perry-McStay Funeral Home, 2555 Pawtucket Ave, East Providence. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 10 AM in the Beneficent Congregational Church, 300 Weybosset St., Providence. Burial will be in North Burial Ground, Providence. If desired, the family supports & appreciates contributions in her memory to the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, or the Susan G. Komen Organization