Debbie Ann Brown was born in Los Angeles, California; she was raised in Franklinton, North Carolina (from six months to 18 years old) by her aunt and uncle, Dorothy Mae and Willie Thomas Perry.  Being from a small town, she attended one school, Franklinton High.  And being raised in the “country,” she had a lot of practice learning one of her most exceptional skills…cooking.

Her spiritual upbringing began at an early age, attending The Way of the Cross Church of Christ, in Henderson, North Carolina, which was pastored by her uncle, the Late Bishop J.L. Brooks.  There, she was active in the Sunday School and Youth Departments, as well as the other functions of a growing church.

After graduating high school, and in preparation to attend college, Sis. Debbie felt that it was time to “spread her wings” and move to California to live with her father, Otis Brooks.  Later, the young Ms. Brown moved to Compton to live with her mother and her husband, Annie and Walter Duncan.

While in California, she joined the Church of God Pentecostal, pastored by Overseer Woody Young.  There, she remained faithfully until 1978.  Afterward (for some reason), she left to be with her new, young groom to work in a church that, unbeknownst to her, she would later become a minister’s wife in 1984 (something she never wanted).  Together, she and her husband (now Pastor), Craig Brown, worked faithfully in many programs, projects, and fundraisers, and traveled throughout the state and country attending the various conventions of the Christ Holy Sanctified Church (CHSC).  In 1985, the church moved from Martin Luther King Boulevard (formerly Santa Barbara Avenue), to its present location on Florence, where she would ultimately become the First Lady.

Always wanting to do for others, Sis. Debbie became the president of the Pastor’s Resources (Pastor’s Aide) under the late Bishop Eugene Brown.   And, realizing the importance, significance, and often thankless role of the pastor’s wife, she began sponsoring the “First Lady Banquet,” an annual, gala event honoring her First Lady, the late Elect Lady Alpha Brown.

Thriving always to be that “virtuous woman,” Sis. Debbie worked faithfully in all aspects of the Mission (Women’s) Department.  She has always (and still does) had a passion for teaching and being an example, particularly to the young women, by teaching them the value of being a godly woman, wife, and mother.  It was because of her being a great example that God blessed her to be the vice-president and president of the local and district Women’s Departments, as well as the secretary of the state (Diocese) Women’s Department.  In June 2005, First Lady Debbie Brown (Craig Brown’s wife…smile) was appointed as the President of the Western Diocese Women’s (Mission) Department by Overseer Esther Davis.

While this Woman of God has truly been blessed, she is grateful for her most precious gifts, her three children: Gabriel Craig, Yulanda Rochelle, and Miranda Stephanie.  She and her husband are continuing to share the love of Jesus Christ by being examples to their children, family, congregation, and community, demonstrating the blessings and benefits of serving such a great and wonderful God.