Mother Rosa K. Brown

Obituary For Mother Rosa K. Brown

Rosa Lee Kelley Brown “MaShug”

Sunrise: August 29, 1923 – Atlanta, Georgia

Sunset: June 13, 2026 — Atlanta, Georgia

Age: 102 Years

LIFE REFLECTIONS

Rosa Lee Kelley Brown, affectionately known as “Ma Shug,” was born on August 29, 1923 in Atlanta, Georgia, to the late Lubie and Mary Lou Kelley Cantrell. From an early age, MaShug displayed a remarkable musical gift, learning to play the piano by ear. She attended Booker T. Washington High School, where she sang in the choir and played piano with natural grace.

After graduation, MaShug continued her education at Clark Atlanta University for two years, where she was inspired to become a schoolteacher. Her life path shifted when she married Julian Cecil Brown, Sr. and together they were blessed with three children: Julian, Lubie, and Mary Lue.

MaShug later began a long and dedicated career at Scripto Pen Company, where she worked faithfully for 40 years. She became well known for gifting pens and pencils to others—a small gesture that reflected her generous spirit. After retiring from Scripto, she continued serving her community through the Atlanta Board of Education and Fulton County Elections.

CHRISTIAN SERVICE

For more than 60 years, MaShug has been a devoted member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. She served as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, pianist, and active participant in numerous auxiliaries and committees. She often hosted church club meetings at her home, serving vanilla ice cream and her mother’s famous red‑swirl pound cake.

Rosa was known for providing transportation to church members, visiting the sick, and offering comfort to anyone in need. Her home at 236 Holly Road became a place of warmth, music, laughter, and unconditional love.

Her favorite scripture was Psalm 23, and every visit to her home ended with reciting The Lord’s Prayer. The Bethlehem church family was very important to MaShug. She deeply loved them and they loved her. That love was shown consistently throughout her illness and passing. Bethlemeh was with her to the end.

PERSONAL JOYS

MaShug loved her family deeply. She enjoyed sewing, spending time with her grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, and great- great-grandchildren and taking pictures everywhere she went. She had a lifelong passion for driving to her various destinations.

Sunday breakfasts were sacred. They consisted of fried chicken, grits, liver and gravy, and biscuits—a tradition passed down from her mother. Even now, she will ask for salt, doctor’s orders aside. And if MaShug ever became ill, everyone knew the rule: take her to Grady Hospital.

FAMILY LEGACY

MaShug is blessed with one living son, Julian, and a devoted daughter‑in‑law, Dorothy, who were exceptional caregivers. Julian, is forever grateful to his daughter and son-in-law, and nieces and nephews for their unwavering support in caring for his beloved mother. She is the proud matriarch of 9 grandchildren, 12 great‑grandchildren, 14 great‑great‑grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

A LIFE WELL LIVED

As Psalm 90:10 reminds us, “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength, eighty.” God has exceeded his promise in MaShug’s life. At 102 years old, we celebrate a century of love, service, faith, and joy.

Hallelujah!

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 11:00am at Bethlehem Baptist Church 3646 Hogan Road, SW Atlanta, Georgia. 30331. Interment at Lincoln Cemetery 2275 Joseph E. Boone, Blvd, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30314. Viewing and visitation will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026 from 11:00am - 7:00pm in the chapel of Pollard and Moore Funeral Home. On the day of the service, family and friends are welcome to meet the family at the residence or assemble at the church at 10:00am. Pollard and Moore Funeral Home, Inc. 827 Pollard Blvd. SW. Atlanta, Georgia. 30315 (404) 688-7073

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