Obituary, Visitation & Funeral Information

Naomi Brown was born in Savannah Georgia on October 30, 1936 to Albert Brown and Pearl Jones-Brown.

At age 16, she moved to New York City, living in Harlem and later in Brooklyn — until she moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1990. In Tucson, Naomi joined Grace Temple Baptist Church, where she served as a senior usher and choir member for many years.

Also known as “Nana” and “Nip the Trip,” Naomi was a strong woman of faith and fearlessness. In her later years, she overcame breast cancer and diabetes — and survived two major surgeries earlier this year. In addition to baking her infamous sweet-potato pies, she loved spending time with family and staying connected to those near and far.

Naomi transitioned peacefully in her sleep on July 28, 2025. She was preceded by her son, Andre; sisters, Mattie and Annie; and brothers, Robert, George, Albert and Freeman.

Her legacy lives on through her siblings, Freda, Jim and Lillie; sons, Eric and James; daughter, Shelene; grandsons, Shariff, Courtney, A.J. and Tevin; granddaughters, Sable, Jhasmine, Shatel, Shawntell, Shaneek and Zulekha; and great-grandchildren, including Khalil (Spudnick), China, Alyana, Kordell, Andre, Kennedy, Kenyon, Acora, Kash, Odin, Kyng, Aries and Kash’mere; as well as a host of family and friends.

We remember her time with us as a special chapter and light in our lives. A woman of God and a wonder of light to so many. Naomi will forever be missed, but her spirit and spunk will live on.