Proverbs 31:25 describes a woman who wears strength and dignity as her clothing, laughing at the times to come.
Benjamin Brown said this biblical descriptor suited his wife to a T.
Lynette Carisa Brown, 54, a beloved mother, wife, friend, and fifth-grade teacher at Glendale Elementary School. died on March 2 after a nearly two-year cancer battle.
In June 2024, Brown arrived for what she expected to be a routine gallbladder removal. But once surgeons examined the organ, they discovered signs of cancer. A biopsy later confirmed the worst: stage‑four gallbladder cancer. Doctors told Brown she likely had only six to nine months to live.
“She loved God and lived her faith and knew that when her time was up that she would inherit her inheritance in the kingdom of heaven in eternity,” her husband said. “We really held tightly onto our faith through the entire process and continue to moving forward. She was just a godly woman,” he said.
Lynette Brown was a dedicated teacher
Brown had a 31-year career in education as both an elementary school teacher and administrator, according to a statement from Princeton City School District. She spent her career within different roles at the school district.
Brown taught at Robert E. Lucas Intermediate School and Stewart Elementary. She also worked in administrative roles and was the principal of Heritage Hill Elementary for two years.
“The Princeton City School District is thankful for Mrs. Brown’s many years of committed service to our students and community, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends,” the statement read.
In spring 2024, she was named one of Cincinnati’s three Teachers of the Year by the Adopt A Class Foundation.
“Her classroom was highly sought after, often with waiting lists of parents hoping their children could learn under Mrs. Brown’s guidance. Families often joked that they had ‘won the lottery’ if their child was placed in her class,” her obituary said.
The couple met at their first jobs in education as fourth-grade teachers at Robert E. Lucas Intermediate School. Her husband said they had been together for 26 years, married for 22.
Support for young professionals was important
As a teacher, she organized career days and specifically invited Black and minority men working in the military, banking, engineering, law, and science to speak with students. She believed it was essential for young men to see examples of successful professionals who looked like them and to understand that their dreams could extend far beyond athletics, her obituary said.
“She was so well intended and really loved to give to others,” her husband said.
Brown loved the colors purple and gold, but as the years went on, the colors of her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, became her favorites. She often wore her sorority’s signature pink and green with pearls and personalized jackets.
“She was also well-known for her fashion, how she dressed and how she carried herself just as a beautiful woman and a professional,” her husband said.
Lynette Brown was active in church and her sorority
She had a heart of service, serving as an usher at Citygate Church in Forest Park and through her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, in addition to her work in schools. She served as Chapter Hostess and Sergeant-at-Arms and contributed to seven different committees at her sorority.
Brown was also dedicated to serving the Letteria Dalton Foundation. Founded by an Alpha Kappa Alpha member, the foundation funds college scholarships and other opportunities.
‘A source of strength and stability’
While her dedication to her community was steadfast, she was also a loving mother to their 11-year-old son, Isaac. “She was always getting our son set up for enrichment activities and did a great job with providing him experiences,” her husband said.
Isaac developed a love for piano, science, and soccer. “Watching Isaac grow into the remarkable young man he is today brought her immeasurable pride and joy,” her obituary said.
“She was just really supportive and supported me and just a source of strength and stability within our family,” Brown’s husband said.
When she wasn’t working at school or in the community, Brown loved to decorate, shop, and cook. Her favorite meal to eat was fried shrimp and pasta. For Thanksgiving, Brown would make her grandmother’s recipe of mac and cheese and collard greens for the family.
Services are set
Along with her husband and son, Brown is survived by her five loving sisters. Her brother, mother, and grandmother preceded her in death.
Visitation with Lynette Brown’s family will be held 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 13, at Shorten and Ryan Funeral Home at 400 Reading Road, in Mason.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 14 at Citygate Church on 11450 Sebring Drive in Cincinnati. The service will start with an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority ceremony at 9:30 a.m. with a visitation from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Letteria Dalton Scholarship Fund. Please visit www.letteriadaltonfoundation1986.org, where a QR code for donations is available.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Lynette Carisa Brown, veteran Princeton teacher, had a heart for service
Reporting by Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
