Bertie Mae Brown

Bertie Mae Cosby Brown began her journey on October 23, 1943, in Deland, Florida, and completed her earthly assignment on December 10, 2025, at the age of 82, with her devoted daughter, son-in-law, and grandson by her side.

Bertie was the youngest daughter and fifth child of eight children born to the late Lessie Mae Cosby and Nephus Cosby. Raised in a household with six brothers and one older sister, Bertie was taught from an early age to always make her commitment to God, family, and community her highest priorities, and these values would continue to be her compass throughout her life. A proud graduate of Euclid High School, Class of 1961, (the last pre-integration class that graduated from Euclid), she was an honor student, who was also very involved in extracurricular activities. She often reminisced about participating in the marching band and playing basketball as a short, but scrappy shooting guard on her team. Bertie was a fearless and formidable opponent on the court, which set the tone for the confident, “can-do” attitude she carried forward with her, no matter what challenges she faced.

Shortly after graduation, Bertie migrated North to join several older siblings, including her big sister, Mattye, all of whom had relocated to New Jersey with dreams of better job and educational opportunities. While living there, she and her high school sweetheart, Ted E. Brown, Sr., who was then active in the miliary, were married and soon returned to Florida to raise their family in the Daytona Beach area. They were blessed with three children during their marriage, Ted. E. Jr., Dierdra Joi, and Todd Anthony, before they eventually parted. However, Bertie remained very close with her in-laws and friends with Ted E. Brown Sr., through the past several decades.

In her professional life, Bertie had a long, successful career with BellSouth (formerly known as Southern Bell) for over 30 years. She was one of the first Black telephone operators hired during the 1960s and held various other administrative positions at the company until her retirement as a customer service representative in 2000. In the workplace, Bertie was known for her excellent work ethic, outspokenness, and customer advocacy, especially when it came to prioritizing her customers’ needs over profits.

Although Bertie enjoyed a fulfilling, dynamic work life before retiring, she always considered her children to be her biggest source of pride and joy. Anyone who knows her would say she was fiercely devoted to her kids, and she never missed the opportunity to share whatever accomplishment, big or small, they achieved with everyone who would listen. And that pride and joy only expanded with the arrival of her grandkids-- Kennedy Jordan Zollar, Kaiya Lanae Brown, and Keenan Anthony Brown. Their Grammy was what folks call an ”active” grandmother, which means she stayed involved in every aspect of their lives and she knew them by heart. They, in turn, completely adored their Grammy.

Known for being a pillar of the community, Bertie devoted much of her time volunteering for as many worthy causes as possible—especially those trying to make life better for folks with the least number of resources. She was also involved in important civic activities through her participation in the local NAACP and the Volusia County Democratic Party Committee—specifically voter registration drives, including the last presidential election. Because she was such a vibrant, energetic, and active woman in her community, most people thought she was younger than she was. But Bertie would often proudly announce her age to show how proud she was of all her years, and she lived every one of them to the fullest.

A woman of deep faith and love for God, she was a former member of the Morning Star Baptist Church which she attended during her family’s formative years, until finding her lasting home church with her beloved Tubman-King, where she served faithfully for over 40 years in various ministries including the Usher Board, Sisters United Fellowship, office administration, and Black History Month and Ladies Day programs—just to name a few. With her home located just a few blocks from the church building, Bertie unwaveringly supported its upkeep and mission, so it could continue to be a light and a sanctuary for the surrounding community. And her TKCC family, in return, was a constant source of meaningful support, connection, and purpose in her own life.

So many of those who loved her have shared this recurring sentiment: “Bertie was always there for us”--especially her nieces and nephews who also meant the world to her. And with her signature warmth, generosity, loyalty, kindness, and class, she was the consummate giver of care. She could be counted on to provide whatever was needed and she would do it with her bright, loving smile. However, Bertie was also quite opinionated about how things needed to be done, and when it was time to get down to business, she did not play and had no problem with speaking her mind to get folks back in line—but she still tried to speak that truth in love. Ultimately, her home and her heart were always opened wide to embrace her cherished biological and chosen family alike. And her compassion, wise advice, and caring support earned her the nickname, “Mama Bertie” by the countless number of folks who benefitted from her nurturing spirit.

Bertie also enjoyed dancing (especially to her favorite pop song “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston); listening to music; hanging out with her friends; hosting big family get-togethers; traveling (she said her trip to South Africa with her son, Ted. Jr, and daughter-in-law, Wanda was one of the best vacations in her life); spending time with her kids and grandkids; watching her story, “The Young and the Restless”; talking with her daughter-in-law Chairese who checked in at 5:00 pm every day to catch up on everything from her store purchases that day to all the latest family news; and sitting on the deck by the lake appreciating the simple beauty of God's creation. Bertie’s light and zeal for life are her legacy, and we will be forever blessed by them.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings, Boisy, Joseph, and Leroy.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her beloved children: Ted E. Brown Jr. (Wanda), Dierdra Joi Zollar (Kenneth), and Todd Anthony Brown (Chairese); four siblings, Mattye Cosby Crews, J.D. Cosby, Walter Cosby (Jean), and Earl Cosby (Alma); beloved grandchildren Kennedy Zollar, Kaiya Brown, Keenan Brown; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members, her church families (both in Florida and Kansas City), and a wealth of friends of the heart.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Tubman-King Community Church located at 1090 George W Engram Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114.

The family requests that guests wear joyful, bright colors instead of black to celebrate and honor Bertie’s beautiful and vibrant spirit.