Maurita Brown

Maurita (Rita Pita) Claudette Smith-Brown began her journey on Sunday, November 16, 1985, in Memphis, TN to the late Maurine Hollman. She confessed her faith at an early age at Belmount Baptist Church in Millington, TN. Maurita was joined in Holy Matrimony to Thomas David Brown on April 21, 2014. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Kingston Dwayne and Amari William-David. She was raised by her grandmother Willie Claude Smith and her honorary parents Edward and Methalyn Barksdale. She has a special Aunt and Uncle, William and Juana Ray who were a significant support system during her upbringing. Maurita was a 2003 graduate of Millington Central High School in Millington, TN. After high school she Attended Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, TN where she met her best friend, Lauren Alexander. Maurita later pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership at Bethel University in Jackson, TN and graduated in 2021. She was employed at Conduelent as a call center supervisor until her death. Previously, Maurita was employed at Hobby Lobby in Jackson, TN for many years where she developed life-long friendships. Maurita loved spending time with her family and her boys exposing them to music and learning about everything. She was a football enthusiast living in a house divided with her husband being a Texas Longhorn’s fan and she was an avid Alabama Crimson Tide fan…”ROLL TIDE!” On February 4, 2024, Maurita gently closed her eyes to rest one final time and joined her mother Maurine Hollman , grandmother Willie Claud Smith, honorary parents Edward and Methalyn Barksdale, grandparents Davis and Clary Frazier-Brooks, sister Thymia LaShay Rogers, father-in-law Thomas D. Brown, who all proceeded her to Glory. Maurita’s love for her family was never-ending and with her they always knew they could find love and help if they needed it. She leaves behind to cherish her memory: her loving husband, Thomas David Brown of Milan, TN, her beloved sons, Kingston Dwayne Brown and Amari William- David Brown of Milan, TN, her mother-in-law Denise D. Brown, sister-in-law Candace K. Brown, her dedicated siblings Rochelle (Eric) Rogers-Henderson of Oakland, TN, Arecko (Kunitra) Barksdale of Jonesboro, GA, Her loving cousins who are close enough to be sisters, Alexis (Javon) Brown-Ross of Chicago, IL, Brandy Johnson of Memphis, TN. Her nieces Cadence Brown, Addison Edwards, and Brooklyn Brown of Milan, TN, Azaria Henderson, McKenzie Henderson, Rhaegan Henderson, and Tristian Rogers of Oakland, TN, and her nephew Arecko Barksdale Jr. of Memphis, TN. She also leaves a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Many friends throughout Memphis, Millington, Jackson, Milan and beyond will forever miss her light, her laughter, and her infectious spirit.

Maurita Brown

November 16, 1985 - February 4, 2024