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AMELIA BROWN MATHIAS, was born November 14, 1936 in Baltimore, Maryland. She was the youngest of seven children born to the late Timothy Brown, Sr. and Amelia Woodson Brown.
Amelia was raised by three sisters, Lily, Cora and Ada from the age of 6 months old, after her mother passed away. These sisters reared her in the faith of Jesus Christ. Faith shaped and sustained Amelia all her life. The sisters made sure she maintained a close relationship with her family. She regularly attended church with her "Moms". Amelia's time was spent attending school, church and listing to the radio. This developed a love of music and dreams of being an opera singer. On October 18, 1957. Amelia gave her life to Jesus Christ at First Emmanuel Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Peter J. Northfleet and began her Christian walk. She became a missionary worker at that time and join the choir. No matter where she sat in the church, her beautiful strong alto voice could be heard throughout the sanctuary. In 1954, Amelia married Reverend Dorsey Mathias (of Matthews County, Virginia) and together they raised three daughters, Jo-Ann, Lily (Vickey), and Amelia (Buckey). In her home the family often prayed and sang together. There were not too many hymns in the Baptist Hymnal that she did not know, and she taught them to her daughters. Amelia understood the importance of helping family, so she offered her home to many family members and friends through the years. She made every effort to bring the family together on special occasions and holidays.
As a dedicated worker for Misty Harbor Coat Factory, Amelia traveled over 20 miles a day using public transportation. She was employed for 26 years and was honored as a faithful worker. She joined the International Ladies Garment Workers Union and the Union Choir. The Union Choir made a television commercial in which Amelia was chosen to participate. Whenever the commercial aired, her daughters would scream "There go Ma, there go Ma" Another opportunity came when the Union Choir was invited to sing for President James (Jimmy) Carter at the White House, one of her proudest moments.
During her 63 years of membership at First Emmanuel, sister Mathias, (as she was frequently called) was an active member who operated in her spiritual gifts. Amelia had a special love for the Mothers of the church. She severed them by assisting with laundry, food, doctor appointments, shopping and other needs. She was a faithful daily prayer line member with powerful uplifting prayers.
Amelia was blessed to have a circle of very close friends, Margaret Wilson, Lavone Madden, Anna Mae Becker, Hilda Kennedy and the late Mildred Perry who all became extended family members. She even developed many friendships with her children's friends. She absolutely enjoyed the company of family and friends and playing cards and board games. At family and church gatherings she prepared her well loved dishes; candied yams, stuffing, gravy and watergate salad. She was a great conversationalist with a great sense of humor. She could tell a good joke and leave you in stitches.
Preceding her in death, Rev. Dorsey Mathias, husband; Amelia V. Mathias, daughter; and Harold Dotson, son-in-law; also five of her siblings, Edward Woodson, Violet Brown, Margherit Huggins, Ruby Brown and Timothy Brown Jr.
She leaves to cherish her memory; two daughters, Jo-Ann B. Dotson and Lily V. Brown; one brother, Bernard Brown (Bobby); four grandchildren, Darren Brown, Sr. (Theresa), Tameka Brown Tilghman (Duane,Jr.), Charnita Mathias Banwo (Kehinde), LaKisha Brown Smith (James); one adopted granddaughter, Tammy Offer; 6 great-grandchildren, Darren Jr., De'Von, Derrick, Devin, Tyrell and Duane, III; and 5 great great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended families, church family and friends.
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