Dr. Hazel Lee Brown

Dr. Hazel Lee Brown, 92, of Portland, Oregon, transitioned to glory on July 9th, 2023, peacefully in her sleep.

Dr. Brown was born on October 30th, 1930, to parents John and Clydie Banks in Houston, Texas. After spending her earlier years in the Wharton/Kendleton area of South Texas, she married the late Pastor Victor R. Brown on November 25th, 1948, before migrating their family to Portland, Oregon in the mid 50s.

While serving as a dedicated mother and member of the community, Dr. Brown answered the call to ministry and was formally ordained to the Church of God on October 9th, 1977. She was also among the first in her family to pursue a doctorate degree in divinity in the early 80s.

Dr. Brown and her husband had 5 children: Victor R. Brown Jr., Hazel (Honey) Louise Brown, Franklin Brown, David W. Brown, and Cheryl L. Brown. She is survived by children: Honey, Franklin, and Cheryl; grandchildren: Ashley S. Flowers, DeAngelo J. Garner, and Amonique R. Brown; great grandchildren: Annaliessa J. Flowers, Cairo E. Flowers, and Devon S. Johnson Brown, and siblings: Theodore C. Banks, Sang Easley, and Evelyn Pipkins. She is also survived by Pastor Charles Hunter, Pastor Richard Hunter, Donald Hunter, Michael Hunter, and Donald Warren, whom she loved as her own sons, and a host of spiritual daughters.

She was an excellent wife, mother, sister, aunt, and First Lady of the Community Church of God where she faithfully served with her husband for over 60 years. After her husband passed awayin 2005, she continued her work in the faith by overseeing the livelihood of the church and devoting her time to praying for her family and community. Her prayer life was of paramount importance to her, and her earnest prayers transcend space and time.

Dr. Brown was also an exemplary gospel singer who was blessed with the opportunity to sing nationwide. The anointing power of God was ever-present in her songs and in her preaching.

Outside of the church, Dr. Brown was an excellent cook and homemaker. She took great care to curate her house as a place of love and comfort for herself and her family. She will be remembered as a powerful woman of God who also worked fervently to ensure her husband, children, family, friends, and community were always well taken care of.