Lorene Brown

On October, 9, 1936, Lorene Caldwell-Brown was born the second child to Velma and John D. Caldwell. She was raised up by them in Coffee County Alabama (towns of Elba and New Brockton) where she also received her education and attended church. She was called out of our presence on Wednesday evening, December 18, 2019. God allowed her over 83 years here with us.

Lorene’s Christian Life:  She answered the call of God early during her childhood and attended church along with her parents and siblings in Coffee County. As a young woman, while living in Lake Wales, FL, she attended Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.  She later moved to St. Petersburg, FL, where Lorene met a lady (Mrs. Warren) in the doctor’s office and was introduced to a Bible study series. The studies encouraged her and the children so much that they soon became members of Elim Seventh-day Adventist Church.  She remained a member there for 50 years.  After her retirement she moved back to Elba a couple of years ago and she began attending Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church until her our Heavenly Father took her home.  During her church affiliations, she always sang in the choir, ushered and served a deaconess.  She loved music; thus she was always ready to attend or sing in a concert - in addition to her usual place in the soprano section. She has served as a Sabbath School and Sunday School teacher.  She was always ready and delighted to get involved in studying and teaching the Bible along with others.
 
Working Life:  While living in Lake Wales, Lorene worked odd jobs including personal housekeeper, Donald Duck plant worker in addition to picking oranges.  When she moved to St. Petersburg, Lorene took classes to become a trained nursing assistant.  This meant better income for her family.  She worked as a nursing assistant with a few companies in addition to private duty assignments until her retirement in 2015.  

Family Life:  At the age of 18 years old (1954), Lorene married Roy Belcher and moved to Lake Wales Florida where she started a family.  Ultimately, she birthed 11 children.  She eventually moved from Lakes Wales Florida to St. Petersburg, Florida in search of better work. After a period time, Lorene eventually gave her heart up again and married Carlisle Brown during the early 1980’s.  She was blessed and matriarch of quite an extensive family:  She had 2 sons that predeceased her and leaves to mourn 9 other children: Patricia Belcher-Bolton (Jack)- Hephzibah GA,  Roy D. Belcher- Riverview FL; Phyllis Belcher – Augusta GA; Steven Belcher (pre-deceased); Juanita Belcher-Adkins (Michele)-New Port Richey, FL; Cornelius Belcher (Cathey)McDonough GA; Glen Belcher, I (Nedia)-Augusta GA; Angela Belcher-Augusta, GA; Anthony Belcher  (pre-deceased); Derrick Isham-Apopka FL; and Darron Isham-St. Petersburg, FL.   She leaves to mourn one brother, James Caldwell (Betty); She was pre-deceased by her only sister – Catherine Caldwell-Neal and 5 brothers- Wilbert Caldwell, Cecil Caldwell (Clara remains), Zelma Caldwell (Jossie remains), Bobby Caldwell and Adolph Caldwell. She had numerous grand-children: Temisha, Kerry, Tron, Curry; Tamara, Neco, Chanease, Shawn, Alonzo; Rimeco (pre-deceased), Michele Jr., Jerrime; Sidney, Kendall, Kolby; Glen II, Nedia; Robert, Bryan, Travis, Symone, Ishmael; Jasmine, Derrick Jr., Elijah and Tymel. From the preceding grand-children she gained a very large amount of great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren (over 85). A large host of nieces and nephews plus cousins so close to her heart that they double as siblings also. Friends were numerous for her.  They were well-loved by her (both from her generation and younger generations).  

No one could say they felt un-loved by her.  If they did, they didn’t really know her.  She always made everyone fill at ease upon first meeting them.  Everyone of her children (oldest to the youngest felt they were special to her because she loved in a way that you just knew you were extraordinary in her eyes. 

Lorene was a people person and a fun-loving. You couldn’t help falling in love with her.  She loved to travel and was there to support all 85+ children’s events (sick or well).  She liked gardening and she didn’t mind a shopping trip.  Those young ones weren’t going to leave her behind when she started slowing down.  She/they just got a wheelchair or something for her to make the trip through the store. She had a flair for sharp dressing (from head to-toe). Hats were her mark if you don’t know.  

As a music lover, she also liked dancing and at some point, she danced with us all.  

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