Josephine Brown

Our mother, Josephine Lisa Marie Swanier Brown, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, during the early morning hours of September 29, 2025, at the age of 80. Josephine was a devout member of the Catholic Church and a dutiful and faithful servant of God. She was a lifelong member of the Legion of Mary. She served as a Eucharistic Minister at three different Catholic churches here on the Coast, Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Pass Christian, St. James Catholic Church, and St Joseph’s Catholic Church both in Gulfport, MS.

In her young adulthood, she worked as a nurse’s aide before getting her certification as a licensed cosmetologist and later opening her own beauty and barber shop out of her home. She loved her community and the people in it. She would often volunteer for the invalid and give her time to the upkeep and cleaning of her church in Pass Christian.

A servant committed to her faith, she would often be the guiding light in the face of adversity and disaster, offering counsel and guidance to those who needed it. Much of the counseling came in the form of nurturing her children and grandchildren. She was the true north to her family, showing them the way back to the path they needed to follow. She was never too busy, and it was never too late for her to pick up the phone when she was needed.

Josephine was most assuredly met by those she loved who departed before her. Her parents, Joseph Luther Swanier and Mary Raboteau Swanier. Her two beloved sons, Armand Germaine Brown and Victor Mose Brown Jr. Her brothers, Robert (Tootsie) Payne, Walter (Brother) Payne, Joseph (Joe Lee) Payne, Milton Payne, and Captain Leroy J. Swanier. Her sisters, Elnora Payne Theodore, Gloria Payne Palode, and Mary Payne Bernard.

Carrying on in her memory are her beloved brother John (Shirley) Payne, Kimberly Swanier (Anthony) Augustine, and Stephen L. (Tarain) Brown.

She gifts the world the light and legacy of her five grandchildren, Jordan P. Brown of Decatur, GA, TSgt. Simone E. Swanier (Devon), Narcisse of San Antonio, TX, Savannah E. Brown of Washington, D.C., Karlos O. Jones of Ocean Springs, MS, and LaTrell D. Brown of Gulfport MS.

She also leaves behind a host of much-loved nieces, nephews, cousins, and great friends to celebrate her life and carry on her love for them all.

Visitation will be 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Our Mother of Mercy Church, with the funeral service starting at 11:00 am. Interment is at St. Stephen's Cemetery, after the service. Repass to follow. 

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is honored to serve the Brown family.