Obituary for Superintendent Mother Vera Flowers (Brown)
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5b
The Dash * October 20, 1943 – February 14, 2023
“The Testimony”
Many daughters have done virtuously, But thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: But a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:29-31 KJV
How do you sum up an exceptional life in 250 words? You can’t. Simply put, Vera Viola “VV” Brown Flowers was our matriarch, our queen, our example of virtuous living.
Vera Viola “VV” Brown Flowers of Statesville, NC began her work on October 20, 1943, and finished her course on February 14, 2023. Loving Mother, Proud Grandmother, Faithful Wife, Loyal Friend, Affectionate Auntie, Superintendent, Missionary, Church Mother, and Dedicated Servant of the Lord, Mother Flowers was truly a Proverbs 31 woman.
Vera was the daughter of the late Bishop Verlon Matthew Brown and the late Mother Ocie Mae Dowdy Brown, the 7th child and the youngest daughter of thirteen children. She was also preceded in death by her mother-in-love, Mable Flowers and two grandchildren, Gregorie and Jordan Holmes, and her siblings, Bishop K.E.V. Brown, Mother MaeNeil (Ollie) Lackey; Mother Sephronia Geneva Chambers, Blonnette Daye, James Nathaniel Brown, Douglas Brown (Hattie Mathis), Rev. Donald Brown, sister-in-love, Teresa Brown, and niece Anissa ‘Buffy’ Chambers. She graduated from Morningside High School in 1961. In 1964, she married the love of her life, L.J. Flowers. To this union, three children were born, Shonda, Rhonda, and Mark Flowers.
“May the Works I’ve Done, Speak for Me”
As a lifelong member of the Commandment Keepers Church of the Living God, Mother Flowers served under the late Bishop John Garland Simenton, the late Mother EJ Rowe, Elder P. N. Torrence (who named her as the Sabbath School Superintendent), the late Bishop H. J. Daniels, her current pastor, Overseer G. A. Daniels, and her beloved Assistant Pastor, Tosha Corpening. All of her pastors recognized her innate faithfulness, and loved her and regarded her as a dependable and spirit filled servant of the Lord. She was able to lead and follow with equal dedication and fervency.
Mother Flowers followed in her father’s footsteps as a Sabbath School Superintendent, humbly honoring his legacy for over 40 years. Bishop VM Brown, was the first appointed Sabbath School Superintendent and the only Bishop ordained by the church founder, Bishop J.G. Simenton. Her granddaughter, Zuri Holmes, is proceeding her, serving as the youth Sabbath School Superintendent, alongside of her mother, Evangelist Shonda Holmes, assistant SS Superintendent at Bibleway Church #9. Faithfully, she also served as an adjutant to the Late Pastor Rowe, was one of the original Jubilee Gospel Singers, and on the Mother’s Board.
FAITHFULNESS: Fidelity, Loyalty, Steadfast, Dependable, Trustworthy
Faithfulness is definitely a matter of the heart, epitomized by this Woman of God whose name, Vera, means faith and true. Mother Flowers loved serving the Lord and the people of God, willfully working as a doer of God’s word with equal commitment and joy, whether leading or following. Yearly, she helped to coordinate the Holy Convocation preparations, diligently working with joy to assure that the Saints of God were well accommodated. She was intentional about always being present, on time, and ready to serve.
Mother Flowers had a giving heart to bless others. She welcomed the homeless into her home and used her home as a Saints Home for the Sabbath. A blessed woman, Mother Flowers was known to give away large quantities of not only her clothes but her children’s extra clothes to teach them that it is better to give than to receive. Although she gave so much away, God always provided and her cabinets, closet and storage always overflowed.
Fashion has always been a gift of Mother Flowers. She was a self-taught seamstress who excelled in designing and finishing garments, even from scratch, creating patterns out of newspaper. She used her natural talents to provide for her family and to bless others, creating garments, headpieces, and performing alterations. Generally, she served as the seamstress for new female ministers, assuring that the garments met the peculiar standards of true holiness.
Vera was employed by Flexnit, Bali/Hanes Group, and Tri-Star, and she retired The Zimmer Group. After retirement, Mother Flowers also volunteered at Iredell Memorial Hospital and was an active member of Silver Sneakers.
Her Children Arise Up, and Call Her Blessed
Mother Flowers was an exceptional mother. She had a knack of using her spiritual wisdom and mother wit to guide and teach her children with sayings like, “Are you going to bar-be-que or mildew?”, “Let me plait this cow’s tail” and “You will eat it before it eats you.” Although unconventional, she knew how to get her message across, and it worked. She woke up early every day before 6:00 am and walked through her home praying and praising God. Her way of living and serving God impacted her children, profoundly. All three of her children are college-educated, professionals, and are licensed and ordained in the ministry. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and gave of herself generously. Omelets’, pancakes, cabbage, pintos, and cornbread are just a few of the ways that she spoiled and loved on her grandchildren.
But the greatest of these is charity, which is simply love. Vera loved her LJ, whom she lovingly called ‘J,’ and he called her ‘VV’! As her health began to transition, “J” cared for her lovingly, tirelessly, and tenderly. She had been such a devoted mother, sacrificing for the needs of her children, who were honored to devote themselves to her just as she had devoted herself to them. With all of the love that was showed to Mother Flowers, she still declared ‘love you more!’
Her Legacies!
Mother Flowers leaves to cherish her memories her husband, L.J. Flowers, her children, Shonda (Greg) Holmes, Dr. Rhonda Flowers- (Darryll) Corpening, Mark (Tina) Flowers; Siblings: Matthew (Loretta) Brown, Samuel (Stephanie) Brown, Felton Brown, David Brown, Dennis (Sandra) Brown, and a cherished niece-sister, Carolyn Brown Cuthrell. Grandchildren: Erica “Sugarfoot” (Jaymar) Daniels, JaColby Corpening, Mark Flowers, II, Tiffany Flowers, Jaala Holmes, Matthew Flowers, Zuri Holmes, Madison Holmes, K. J. Allison, and Camille Primo; Great-grands: Kamdyn, JaKaizen, Khloei, Kade, Kynedi, Korynn, Madelyn, Dakota, and Gianni. One Godson, Bryant Lattimore, II; a Lifetime friend, Overseer C. S. Lattimore; special niece, Sheila Wasson, special bonus grands and great-grands include LaToya Daniels, Brandi McKnight, Laila, JoSelf, Jr., Narasha, Kiersten, and Josiah. Special friends, Tawanna Tucker and Adrian Stewart. Sisters in love, Evelyn Brown, Phyllis Brown, and Bertha Nesbit.
Mother Flowers favorite saying was “Love You More,” and her favorite song was “I Love the Lord”. She was loved dearly and will be missed by us all.
Celebration of Life Services for Superintendent Mother Vera Brown Flowers will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Bibleway Church Number 1. Overseer Georgia Daniels is Pastor, Elder Mark Flowers will officiate and Evangelist Shonda Flowers Holmes will eulogist.
Superintendent Mother Vera Brown Flowers will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home until taken to the church to lie in state at 12:00 p.m. Members of the family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., but will assemble at the residence, 521 North Bost Street, Statesville, N. C. 28677, at other times. Interment will follow on Monday, February 20, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. at Bibleway Church Number 6 Cemetery in Troutman, N. C.
Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Flowers Family. Visit the Book of Memories for Mother Flowers at www.rutledgeandbigham.com.
The Dash * October 20, 1943 – February 14, 2023
“The Testimony”
Many daughters have done virtuously, But thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: But a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:29-31 KJV
How do you sum up an exceptional life in 250 words? You can’t. Simply put, Vera Viola “VV” Brown Flowers was our matriarch, our queen, our example of virtuous living.
Vera Viola “VV” Brown Flowers of Statesville, NC began her work on October 20, 1943, and finished her course on February 14, 2023. Loving Mother, Proud Grandmother, Faithful Wife, Loyal Friend, Affectionate Auntie, Superintendent, Missionary, Church Mother, and Dedicated Servant of the Lord, Mother Flowers was truly a Proverbs 31 woman.
Vera was the daughter of the late Bishop Verlon Matthew Brown and the late Mother Ocie Mae Dowdy Brown, the 7th child and the youngest daughter of thirteen children. She was also preceded in death by her mother-in-love, Mable Flowers and two grandchildren, Gregorie and Jordan Holmes, and her siblings, Bishop K.E.V. Brown, Mother MaeNeil (Ollie) Lackey; Mother Sephronia Geneva Chambers, Blonnette Daye, James Nathaniel Brown, Douglas Brown (Hattie Mathis), Rev. Donald Brown, sister-in-love, Teresa Brown, and niece Anissa ‘Buffy’ Chambers. She graduated from Morningside High School in 1961. In 1964, she married the love of her life, L.J. Flowers. To this union, three children were born, Shonda, Rhonda, and Mark Flowers.
“May the Works I’ve Done, Speak for Me”
As a lifelong member of the Commandment Keepers Church of the Living God, Mother Flowers served under the late Bishop John Garland Simenton, the late Mother EJ Rowe, Elder P. N. Torrence (who named her as the Sabbath School Superintendent), the late Bishop H. J. Daniels, her current pastor, Overseer G. A. Daniels, and her beloved Assistant Pastor, Tosha Corpening. All of her pastors recognized her innate faithfulness, and loved her and regarded her as a dependable and spirit filled servant of the Lord. She was able to lead and follow with equal dedication and fervency.
Mother Flowers followed in her father’s footsteps as a Sabbath School Superintendent, humbly honoring his legacy for over 40 years. Bishop VM Brown, was the first appointed Sabbath School Superintendent and the only Bishop ordained by the church founder, Bishop J.G. Simenton. Her granddaughter, Zuri Holmes, is proceeding her, serving as the youth Sabbath School Superintendent, alongside of her mother, Evangelist Shonda Holmes, assistant SS Superintendent at Bibleway Church #9. Faithfully, she also served as an adjutant to the Late Pastor Rowe, was one of the original Jubilee Gospel Singers, and on the Mother’s Board.
FAITHFULNESS: Fidelity, Loyalty, Steadfast, Dependable, Trustworthy
Faithfulness is definitely a matter of the heart, epitomized by this Woman of God whose name, Vera, means faith and true. Mother Flowers loved serving the Lord and the people of God, willfully working as a doer of God’s word with equal commitment and joy, whether leading or following. Yearly, she helped to coordinate the Holy Convocation preparations, diligently working with joy to assure that the Saints of God were well accommodated. She was intentional about always being present, on time, and ready to serve.
Mother Flowers had a giving heart to bless others. She welcomed the homeless into her home and used her home as a Saints Home for the Sabbath. A blessed woman, Mother Flowers was known to give away large quantities of not only her clothes but her children’s extra clothes to teach them that it is better to give than to receive. Although she gave so much away, God always provided and her cabinets, closet and storage always overflowed.
Fashion has always been a gift of Mother Flowers. She was a self-taught seamstress who excelled in designing and finishing garments, even from scratch, creating patterns out of newspaper. She used her natural talents to provide for her family and to bless others, creating garments, headpieces, and performing alterations. Generally, she served as the seamstress for new female ministers, assuring that the garments met the peculiar standards of true holiness.
Vera was employed by Flexnit, Bali/Hanes Group, and Tri-Star, and she retired The Zimmer Group. After retirement, Mother Flowers also volunteered at Iredell Memorial Hospital and was an active member of Silver Sneakers.
Her Children Arise Up, and Call Her Blessed
Mother Flowers was an exceptional mother. She had a knack of using her spiritual wisdom and mother wit to guide and teach her children with sayings like, “Are you going to bar-be-que or mildew?”, “Let me plait this cow’s tail” and “You will eat it before it eats you.” Although unconventional, she knew how to get her message across, and it worked. She woke up early every day before 6:00 am and walked through her home praying and praising God. Her way of living and serving God impacted her children, profoundly. All three of her children are college-educated, professionals, and are licensed and ordained in the ministry. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and gave of herself generously. Omelets’, pancakes, cabbage, pintos, and cornbread are just a few of the ways that she spoiled and loved on her grandchildren.
But the greatest of these is charity, which is simply love. Vera loved her LJ, whom she lovingly called ‘J,’ and he called her ‘VV’! As her health began to transition, “J” cared for her lovingly, tirelessly, and tenderly. She had been such a devoted mother, sacrificing for the needs of her children, who were honored to devote themselves to her just as she had devoted herself to them. With all of the love that was showed to Mother Flowers, she still declared ‘love you more!’
Her Legacies!
Mother Flowers leaves to cherish her memories her husband, L.J. Flowers, her children, Shonda (Greg) Holmes, Dr. Rhonda Flowers- (Darryll) Corpening, Mark (Tina) Flowers; Siblings: Matthew (Loretta) Brown, Samuel (Stephanie) Brown, Felton Brown, David Brown, Dennis (Sandra) Brown, and a cherished niece-sister, Carolyn Brown Cuthrell. Grandchildren: Erica “Sugarfoot” (Jaymar) Daniels, JaColby Corpening, Mark Flowers, II, Tiffany Flowers, Jaala Holmes, Matthew Flowers, Zuri Holmes, Madison Holmes, K. J. Allison, and Camille Primo; Great-grands: Kamdyn, JaKaizen, Khloei, Kade, Kynedi, Korynn, Madelyn, Dakota, and Gianni. One Godson, Bryant Lattimore, II; a Lifetime friend, Overseer C. S. Lattimore; special niece, Sheila Wasson, special bonus grands and great-grands include LaToya Daniels, Brandi McKnight, Laila, JoSelf, Jr., Narasha, Kiersten, and Josiah. Special friends, Tawanna Tucker and Adrian Stewart. Sisters in love, Evelyn Brown, Phyllis Brown, and Bertha Nesbit.
Mother Flowers favorite saying was “Love You More,” and her favorite song was “I Love the Lord”. She was loved dearly and will be missed by us all.
Celebration of Life Services for Superintendent Mother Vera Brown Flowers will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Bibleway Church Number 1. Overseer Georgia Daniels is Pastor, Elder Mark Flowers will officiate and Evangelist Shonda Flowers Holmes will eulogist.
Superintendent Mother Vera Brown Flowers will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home until taken to the church to lie in state at 12:00 p.m. Members of the family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., but will assemble at the residence, 521 North Bost Street, Statesville, N. C. 28677, at other times. Interment will follow on Monday, February 20, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. at Bibleway Church Number 6 Cemetery in Troutman, N. C.
Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Flowers Family. Visit the Book of Memories for Mother Flowers at www.rutledgeandbigham.com.