A Farewell to My Mother-in-Law: My Guiding Light

It is with deep gratitude and a heavy heart that I stand before you today to share a few words about my mother-in-law, Johnnie Doris (Baird) Brown, who passed away on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024, at the age of 98. As she was affectionately known, Doris was not merely a family member but a guiding light, a mentor, and a confidante to many. Her passing has left an immense void in our lives that can never be filled, but we must celebrate her extraordinary life and the indelible mark she left on all who knew her.?

Born on October 15th, 1925, in Ashland, Mississippi, Doris was a woman of remarkable strength and resilience. In 1942, as part of the Great Migration, she embarked on a journey to Baltimore, Maryland, in search of a brighter future. There, she met her beloved husband, Leon Robert Brown, a decorated World War II veteran. Their union on October 16th, 1948, was a testament to their enduring love and commitment.

Doris's life was a tapestry woven with determination, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to her family. She was a devoted mother to three children, a doting grandmother to five, and a cherished great-grandmother to ten. Her home was not just a physical space but a haven of warmth and love, where laughter and lively conversations filled the air, providing comfort and joy to all who entered.

I vividly recall the first time I met Doris in the summer of 1978. It was a scorching July day, and I arrived at her home in Lochearn, Baltimore, dressed in my tennis whites, ostensibly on my way to the courts. However, I intended to meet her daughter, Dale, my future wife. Doris and Leon welcomed me with open arms, their backyard abuzz with the enticing aromas of a cookout.

As Leon expertly manned the grill, Doris and I engaged in a delightful conversation. I was immediately struck by her poise, intelligence, and warmth. "Wow," I thought, "Dale inherited her beauty and charm from her mother."

Throughout the years, Doris became an integral part of my life, offering unwavering support and sage advice. She and Leon created a nurturing environment where intellectual curiosity was encouraged. Their dinner table was a forum for lively discussions on various topics, from science and technology to current events.?

This atmosphere of intellectual curiosity undoubtedly shaped Dale and my scientific pursuits. I spent countless hours in their home, immersed in my work, developing the equations and algorithms that laid the foundation for my contributions to supercomputing. It was in their home that I, in part, discovered the power of parallel processing, a breakthrough that revolutionized the field of computing.

Doris's passion for knowledge extended to her career. In 1958, she returned to school to become a teacher, a profession she embraced with unwavering dedication for over three decades. Her love for learning was contagious, inspiring countless students to reach their full potential.

One of Doris's most endearing qualities was her deep connection to her roots. When my mother, Agatha Emeagwali, first arrived in the United States from Nigeria, she organized a heartwarming welcome reception. The gathering was a beautiful blend of Nigerian and American cultures, a testament to Doris's open-mindedness and appreciation for diversity.

Similarly, when my four younger siblings arrived in the United States on Thanksgiving Day in 1985, Doris and Leon opened their home to them and treated them to a traditional Thanksgiving feast. It was a gesture of kindness and generosity that my family will never forget.?

Doris's legacy is not merely one of personal achievement, but of the countless lives she touched and enriched. Her love for family, her passion for learning, and her unwavering support for those around her inspire us all.

In the words of the poet Maya Angelou, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Doris Brown made everyone she encountered feel loved, valued, and appreciated.

As we bid farewell to this remarkable woman, let us remember the words of the Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe: "When we gather together on the moonlit village ground, it is not because of the moon. Every man can see it in his compound. We come together because it is good for kinsmen to do so."

Today, we gather to mourn Doris Brown's loss and celebrate her extraordinary life. May her memory be a guiding light, illuminating our paths and inspiring us to be better versions of ourselves.

Poem for Johnnie Doris Brown by her daughter, Dale Brown Emeagwali

A Guiding Light

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Your hands, once strong, now gently rest,

A life well-lived, forever blessed.

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You were the sun that kissed the dawn,

The moon that lit my way when gone.

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Your laughter, music to my ears,

Your wisdom, calming all my fears.

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A teacher, a mother, a friend so true,

Your love for us, forever new.

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Though tears may fall, and hearts may ache,

Your memory, a flame we'll never forsake.

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For in our souls, your spirit will reside,

Our guiding light, a beacon, our loving guide.

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