Doris Brown-2-15-2025

DORIS ANN BROWN was born on December 22, 1931, to the late Ralph T. and Leola Lewis in Long Branch, NJ.  She was the sixth child of fifteen children in the Lewis family tree. Doris peacefully transitioned from life on February 3, 2025, at Crystal Lake Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Berkeley Township, NJ.

Doris, affectionately called “Endie” by her loving family, received her education, and graduated from the Red Bank Public School System.  She was an avid reader and continued her education by attending IBM School in Perth Amboy and her love of singing led her to take music classes at Monmouth College, WLB, NJ.  She was always known for her cheerful smile, her fun-loving personality, her eye for fashion, and a caring and giving spirit.  She loved all music, if party music was playing, Doris was dancing and when gospel music was playing Doris was singing praising the Lord.

A devoted woman of faith, as a child she received her Christian foundation from her beloved family and as a member of Shrewsbury Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church, Red Bank, NJ, Calvery Baptist Church, Red Bank, NJ, and C.O.O.L.J.C.  Doris continued her spiritual growth attending various sanctuaries of worship from which she remained active in building her relationship with Jesus.

In 1952, she married the love of her life, George H. Brown.  Together they were pioneers in business entrepreneurship in the healthcare field and social entertainment.  In the early 70’s they owned and operated Brownstone Manor, one of the first boarding homes in Long Branch.  Doris loved operating the boarding home.  She had a passion for caring for people.  Family members worked there, and this is where Doreen and Lisa learned how to cook, bake, and developed their caring nature.  In addition, to the boarding home, they opened a small blues social club, Brown’s Castle located in Long Branch on Ocean Avenue when it was just a dirt road.  Once again, this business was right up Doris’s alley because she loved music and dancing.  The businesses were sold and life moved on.

Doris loved attending family gatherings, spending time with friends going on bus rides to Atlantic City, she enjoyed walking around town and sharing special moments with her daughters whom she loved dearly.

Doris was predeceased by her parents, Ralph T. and Leola Lewis; her beloved husband, George H. Brown; two sons, George Lewis Brown and Sterling James Logan, affectionally called Cass; 12 siblings: Ralph, Jack, Howard, Hobart, George, and Andrew Lewis; Pauline Booker; Leola Williams; Alice Parker, Francis Anderson, and Ruth Nicholson; one Sister-In-Law, Viriginia Henderson.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories two brothers, Donald and Vergel Lewis, and one sister, Shirley Ann Osborne. Doris’s legacy of love and caring for other continues through two daughters, Doreen Patterson and Lisa Newman; two grandsons: Wakii Moore and Antoine Patterson; and two great great-grandchildren Antoine and Tyler Patterson; a special nephew Ralph Lewis; a Goddaughter, Reverend Kasey Edwards; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and loving friends.