Voncile Brown

Voncile (Clausell) Brown was born September 12, 1938, in Monroeville, Alabama, to Tommie Clausell and Bessie Hurry. As the youngest of eight children, she was raised in Monroe County, Alabama. Voncile lost her mother at the tender age of four, leaving her with very few memories of her mother’s presence. Though her early years were filled with challenges, she was blessed with family members and loved ones who helped nurture and guide her along the way.

At an early age, she accepted Christ at Bethel Baptist Church in Clausell Quarters. Voncile later attended Union High School in Clausell.

Voncile shared a close bond with her brothers, and together they navigated the difficulties of childhood with resilience and strength. Several relatives played meaningful roles in helping shape her life. Her cousin, Smokey, made sure his parents saved her food to eat. Her Aunt Minnie taught her how to cook and helped guide her into becoming a strong and honorable young woman. Her brother Thomas protected and looked out for her, and later her brother Jemison welcomed her into his home when she moved to Ohio. These experiences instilled in Voncile a deep compassion for others, which led her to work in the healthcare field. She served faithfully as a nurse’s aide in several nursing homes before eventually retiring from St. Ann’s Hospital.

Voncile was known as a hardworking woman who believed in perseverance. Her children were never allowed to say they were tired. If they did, she would quickly ask, “Did you pick cotton today?”—a reflection of her own youth working in the cotton fields.

After migrating North, Voncile decided to pursue new opportunities and a better life. She first moved to Detroit, where she stayed with her cousin, Mary Holloway, and her family. She later settled in Youngstown, Ohio, where she lived with her brother Jemison for several years.

While in Youngstown, Voncile met a young man named Bill. Bill was friends with her cousins, who encouraged him to meet their cousin from down South. Bill reached out, and the rest is history. They were married on September 9, 1961. The couple first lived with Bill’s uncle and aunt, Wilbur and Evelyn Williams, before eventually moving to Columbus, Ohio. It was there that Voncile truly flourished, building a loving home with her husband and raising their children.

Voncile loved to cook, and food was her love language. There were always sweets waiting in the cake saver, ready to be shared with anyone who stopped by. She enjoyed cooking for visiting ministers during church revivals and often welcomed college students into her home so they could enjoy a warm, home-cooked meal. She was known as a wonderful cook, and her favorite dessert to prepare was 7 Up cake, sweet potato and apple pies.

During her illness, Voncile was lovingly cared for by her husband Bill, her family, and caregiver, Jackie Jones. After battling dementia for many years, she peacefully went home to be with the Lord at home.

Voncile was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings Mello (Malcolm) Cunningham, Elizabeth (Wilson) Sigler, Jemison Clausell, Tommie (Gracie) Clausell, and Green Clausell; and two siblings who passed away in infancy. 

She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband, Bill Brown; her children, Sheilah (Jerold) Bradshaw and Bill (Erica) Brown; her grandchildren, Jaylin Bradshaw, Jarrin Bradshaw (Mackenzie Sanders), and Myanna Brown; and her great-granddaughter, Soreigna Voncille Bradshaw.