Rose A. (Lanier) Brown

On April 22, 2020, Rose A. (Lanier) Brown of Takoma Park, Maryland died at age 80.  Born in Savannah, Georgia to Lucille and Ruel Lanier, Jr., she graduated from Savannah State University and later earned an MS in Computer Science from American University.  At Savannah State, Rose was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Beta Kappa Chi National Scientific Honor Society.  There, she also met her future husband, the late Leroy Brown, Jr.  They married on August 31, 1963 at the historic First African Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia.  After relocating to the Washington, DC area to pursue their careers, they settled in Takoma Park, Maryland where they raised three daughters Sheila, Valerie and Selena.

Known for her sharp analytical mind, Rose held positions of increasing responsibility as a mathematician and operations research analyst with the US Army’s Center for Army Analysis, formerly the Concept Analysis Agency (CAA), which undertakes analytical studies to identify and address issues concerning the composition, capabilities, and requirements of the US armed forces.  She retired from her career in public service in 1998.  A devout Christian with a spirit for service, Rose served as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Silver Spring, Maryland and was a charter member of the Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  She had a genuine interest in and empathy for others, traits that served her well as a lay leader in her church and volunteer in her community.  

Family and friends loved Rose for her quick wit, kind heart and commitment to helping others.  No problem was too big or too small for her to solve.  If she could not solve the problem, she would offer a framework for thinking it through or getting over it through a blend of religion, common sense, humor and pragmatism.  She believed in the value of arts and culture and exposed her daughters to music of all genres, ballet, modern dance, museums and theater.  She was an excellent seamstress and craftsperson, and made beautiful quilts, clothing and holiday wreaths for her enjoyment and as gifts to others.

Rose passed away shortly after the death of her husband Leroy, who died on April 4, 2020.  She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Ruel Lanier, III and sisters Eunice Moore, Carolyn Wiley, Jeannette Middleton, and Lucille Lanier.  She is survived by her sister Joan Wilson of Savannah, GA and daughters Dr. Sheila Brown (New York, NY), Valerie Grant (New York, NY) and Selena Smith (Greenbelt, MD), sons-in-law Garry Grant Sr. and William Smith, Sr., grandchildren William Smith, II, Jasmine Smith, Makayla Smith and Garry Grant, Jr. and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and other extended family.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rose A. (Lanier) Brown, please visit our floral store.