Ms. Tonja Schrell Brown

God took a walk through his garden and looked at how the flowers abound. He strolled along the blooms…a special flower he found. He reached down his massive hand and gently picked it from all the rest. He gazed at Tonja Schrell Brown, this special flower, He knew he picked the best! Dignity, elegance, courage and strength are all words that describe this God-fearing, kind hearted woman. Ms. Tonja Schrell Brown was born October 30, 1967 the loving daughter of Gracie M. Witherspoon; nurtured throughout the years of her grandmother life, Lessie Brown. She entered a new realm of life on April 19, 2025 at the age of 57 years. She was a native of Saginaw, Michigan and a lifelong resident of Buena Vista Township. Tonja began her education in the Buena Vista School District graduating as a proud Buena Vista High School “Knight”, Class of 1986. She had the spirit to achieve and continued her education at Clayton State University and DeKalb College in Georgia then earning her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Davenport University. Tonja was quite fashionable, loving to wear beautiful clothing and accessories. She had a unique method of shopping. She was a great cook and housekeeper. She was an organizer, a devoted daughter that supported her mom in the majority of her performances and church engagements. Tonja was employed as a Caregiver. While in Georgia she was employed at a daycare facility, then later returned home to assist at “Ma Lessie’s Day Care” and “Decorations by Alice” while continuing her education. Ms. Brown was a lifelong member of Bethel A.M.E. Church. Serving under the leadership of five pastors, she loved her church. As a youth she participated in several organizations. Most recently she was a member of the Millennials Choir, the Courtesy Committee, the Women Missionary Society, the Crowns of Praise and the Waves of Praise. Tonja served as the “Grip” (person the behind- the-scenes) of the Bamecians Ensemble for a number of years. Tonya had a great love for music and dancing. She was genuine in her love for, and closeness with family, always very dependable, sweet spirited, but she had no problem letting you know exactly what was on her mind. Tonja leaves to cherish many wonderful memories, her mother, Gracie M. Witherspoon; two brothers, Jermaine and Jeremy Corbitt; aunts, Shender (Regimond) McKinney, Marietta Reeves and Aunt Reecie; bonus auntie, Becky Petty; aunts, Sylvia and Eugenia; Mack Charles; cousins raised as sisters, Deirdre Hollis-Smith and Devona Hollis; including special cousins, Jevon “VonVon” Hollis, T J and Amaria (who she called her babies), Jimmy Reeves (Sheenka) and Donnie Reeves, cousins, Drayne, Nicquel and Lacretia; bonus grandmothers, Annye P. Roberts and Lucille Jones; god-parents Kayron (Pastor Lusciose) Lewis; extended family, Angela Foster, Ayana and Kevin Lett, Angela, Anita and Val, Earnestine Perry and the Warren family, many other relatives and friends including special friends, Chondelea Dugan, Tracy White, Janice Coleman, Debbie, Kim and Kesha Jones, and her Bethel A.M.E. Church family. Ms. Tonja Schrell Brown was preceded in death by her grandparents, Lessie (Rev. Chester A.) Brown; an aunt, Alice (Thomas) Hollis; god-parents, Mary (Willie) Jackson; special cousin, Devin Hollis and other family members. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 535 Cathay St., Saginaw, MI 48601. Rev. Dr. Dennis Laffoon, Pastor and Rev. P. David Saunders will officiate. Interment will take place in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 S. Washington Ave., Saginaw, MI 48601. Visitation will be Monday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. and family will be present from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Ms. Tonja Schrell Brown

October 30, 1967 - April 19, 2025