Genevieve Bryan

A life lived with Love

Genevieve Bryan, affectionately known as Mom, Mother Genevieve, Mom Brown or Jenny Mae was born on January 24th, 1936, in Wilmington, Delaware to Harry Brown and Carrie Polite Brown. Although her family roots extend to Wilmington, North Carolina. Genevieve transitioned to eternal life on October 27, 2025, at the Christiana Hospital in Newark Delaware surrounded by her loved ones.

Genevieve received her early education through Wilmington public school system and continued her secondary education at Goldey Beacom Community College. Genevieve began her career in banking as a bank teller at Delaware Trust and Farmers Bank. Genevieve later was employed as an administrative assistant by the State of Delaware where she retired. In 1968, Genevieve found happiness when she married the love of her life Charles W Bryan. This union produced a linage of 10 children, 29 grandchildren, 55 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren.

Genevieve’s outgoing spirit, love for laughter and fun was a life well lived. Genevieve had many joyful interests such as cooking, celebrating with family and friends, volunteering as a patient care advocate at Riverside Hospital, visiting the casino to watch horse racing, playing cards like pinochle, watching law and order SVU, and going out to eat with her church family. Even on occasions when Genevieve was not feeling well, she enjoyed attending various church events. Genevieve was an avid EAGLES fan, a very stylish woman who loved to dress up with fancy hats and high heels. Although later in life road trips became rough, she appreciated the many travels with family and friends for vacation. Genevieve’s favorite meals were fried chicken, shrimp fried rice, a turkey sub with plain chips and a Pepsi. Geneveive was a great cook and loved getting up at 3:00am to start cooking holiday meals, no one can bake a sweet potato pie like her, her chicken and dumplings were mouthwatering. Her fried chicken and potato salad was out of this world.

In 1943 Genevieve accepted her Lord and Savior at Bolden UAME Methodist Church and continued her spiritual journey as a faithful member of Ezion Fair Baptist Church. Genevieve joined many ministries such as the Henry gospel choir, the senior choir, mass choir, the golden angels, seasoned saints and held a short-term role as the Pastor’s aide. In 2018, after over 75 years of dedication and devotion, Genevieve was appointed the GREAT honor of “Church Mother”. Her favorite bible scriptures were Psalm 23 and Psalm 91.

Genevieve leaves a life legacy of teaching her children and grandchildren strength. Genevieve was preceded in death by her husband Charles W Bryan, oldest daughter Vernell Brown Harrison, two sons Nathan and Anthony Brown, five grandchildren Tynetta, Vernell, Antoine, Arteise Brown and Tracie Hinson, one son-in-law William E Cheeks, two brothers Ernest “Sunny” (Doris) Brown, James “Junie” Brown, two sisters Lillie Mae Anderson and Pearl (Simon) Brown. 

Genevieve is survived by four daughters Carrie Cheeks, Patricia Patton, Elizabeth (Merle) Wanamaker, Marcia Brown, three sons Kevin, Larry, and Lester (Kimberly) Brown, and one sister in-law Eveyln Brown. A span of 5 decades of good friends: Joyce, Lynn, Maria, Christine, Josephine, the entire deacon board, the Late Mother Annette Curry. A host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and the entire church of Ezion Fair Baptist church who loved her dearly.