Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
2001 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-625-8816
Website: http://www.toftfh.com
View All Obituaries from Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
Dolores O. (Boulware) Brown died peacefully at her daughter's home in the early morning hours of February 25, 2023, at the age of 89. Her children, Stephanie, Zachary, Tamara, and Valerie were at her bedside, as was her daughter-in-love, Lisa.
Dolores was born on September 24, 1933, in Tahlequah, OK, to Loomis Boulware and Thelma Jones. She was raised by her paternal step-grandmother in Anderson, SC. Upon graduating from Anderson High School in 1951, Dolores returned to OK to attend Langston University, in Langston, OK (a historically black college/university). Dolores received her Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Langston in 1954.
While attending Langston, Dolores met Curtis Asa Brown, also a student at Langston in the School of Religion. Curtis and Dolores were married by Dr. Calvin K. Stalnaker on December 19, 1954, at the historic First Baptist Church of North Tulsa, in Tulsa, OK. After pastoring the Bethel Baptist Church, in Omaha, NE, for 10 years, Curtis was called to pastor the Ebenezer Baptist Church, in Sandusky, OH and the family moved to Sandusky in April, 1966, where they served until Curtis' retirement from the pastorate on December 31, 2007.
Dolores was the choir director at Ebenezer for many years, before passing the torch to her daughter, Valerie. She was a member of the Busy Bee Circle, and faithfully attended Sunday School, and Wednesday night prayer meetings. She was active in the Ohio Baptist General Convention (OBGC), the Northern Ohio Baptist District Association and the Sandusky Sub-District of the OBGC. She was a faithful member of the Interdenominational Minister's Wives and Minister's Widows of Sandusky and Vicinity for many years. In 2015, she was honored as Wife of the Year by the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and in 2022, Ebenezer Baptist Church honored her for her faithful service to the church.
During her early years in Sandusky, Dolores was employed as a teacher with the Community Action Commission (CAC). She was then employed by the State of Ohio's Driver's License Bureau for 22 years, retiring in 1998.
Dolores will be dearly missed by her children: Dr. Eric H. Brown, and his wife Charlesia, Columbus, OH; Suzanne R. Keaton, Huron, OH; Stephanie E. Mayfield, and her husband John, Huron, OH; Minister Zachary M. Brown, and his wife Lisa, Columbus, OH; Minister Valerie M. Whittaker, Huron, OH; Tamara A. Byrd, Columbus, OH; and Timothy A. Brown, and his wife, Tara, Brush, CO. Foster son, Alvin Greear and his wife, Kim, Sandusky. 20 grandchildren: Adrianne Hopgood, Angela Long, Alisha Long, Seth Brown-Bright and his husband, Eric, R. Amanda Brown, Jayson Brown, Pierre Nelson, Marcus Brown and his wife, Chanel, Cherise Caston, Ahmaad Mathis, Zachary Brown, II, Camryn Brown, Jada Whittaker, Damondre Moultrie, Andrew Moultrie, Marlon Bryd, and his wife, Shonna, Andre Byrd, Ebonie Appling, Timothy Brown, and Cassidy Brown. 27 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren. Cherished son-in-love, George Whittaker, Huron, OH. Sisters: Mary Thomas and her husband, Edward, Tulsa, OK, and Anita Marina, and her husband Booker, Carrollton, TX. Nieces: Lisa Griffin, Dr. Ja'za Marina, and Nakia Jackson. Nephews: LaMarr Moss, Booker Marina, III, and Aaron Thomas. Her Boulware Cousins, who are more like siblings: Billy Boulware, Ralph Boulware, Ronald Boulware, Ruth Harrison, Marilyn Hewlett, Hilda Boulware and Linda Wilson. Special Cousin, Hope Smith. Goddaughters: Taylor Jordan, and Shahar McSalters. Dear friends: Charlotte Morris, Katie Stovall, Mary Alice Williams, and Tiffany Alexander; the September Birthday Crew and many other friends, and adopted family.
Dolores was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Pastor Curtis Asa Brown; her parents, Loomis Boulware, Thelma Jones Buffington and Raymond Buffington; daughter, Dr. Rosita Long, Ph.D., grandparents; brother, Gerald Buffington; grandsons: W. Keith Bray, II, and Jonathan Mayfield; son-in-love, Michael Byrd, parents-in-law, brothers-in-law, aunts, uncles, and dear friends.
Friends may call on Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 10 A.M. until time of funeral services at 12 P.M. Noon in Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1215 Pierce St., Sandusky. Entombment will follow in Oakland Cemetery.
She will be remembered for her smile, her kindness, her purple patch in her hair, and her ability to make you laugh!
Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting toftfuneralhome.com.
