Sabena Dian (Clemons) Brown

“Be a Blessing to many, today.”

“Have a good one, and it’s gonna be a good day”

We are gathered here today in the memory of my mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, niece, friend, Sabena Dian Clemons Brown, so that together we may acknowledge and share both our joy in the gift that her life was to us, and the pain that her passing brings. In sharing the joy and the pain together today, may we lessen the pain and remember more clearly the joy.

Sabena was only 51 and 15 days old when she passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 4, 2020 in Tallahassee, Florida. It’s hard to say goodbye. We wish that we had more time, and perhaps that during the time we had we had spent more of it together. But even though she is gone, she has left the legacy of her love and perseverance. The ways she touched our lives will remain, and we ask you to keep those memories alive by sharing them with us and with one another. She was a member of Saint Jackson #20B, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliated.

Sabena was preceded in death by her great grandmother: Valde “Big Mama” Williams; and her mother, Carolyn Raybon Clemons.

So when I looked at those flowers, I was looking at God
For they bloomed in His sun and grew in His sod
And each lovely flower was a “voice from above”
That whispered a message of Kindness and Love
For I feel in my heart, and I know you do, too,
That God speaks to us all through the kind things we do
And when I looked at those flowers I couldn’t help but feel
That they brought Heaven nearer and made God so real.

Sabena is survived by her children: Angelica Brown, Barrett Brown II, Jasmine Brown, and Jaleel Brown; her father, Hayward Clemons, Sr.; grandchildren: Chloe Williams, Gabriella Williams and Barrett Brown III; brothers: Hayward Clemons, Jr., and Thomas Broxton, Sr.; special aunt: JoAnn Dawson-Thomas; aunts and uncle: Dian Raybon Mitchell, Clarence Raybon and Leutrishe Goode; son-in-law: Terrance Williams; daughter-in-law: Amanda Brown; a very special “Hommie”, Yulanda Murray; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, coworkers (State of Florida Department of Correction) and friends.

Family is where she drew her strength and left her legacy. Being with her family was what Sabena enjoyed most of all. What a wonderful lesson she gave us. Keep your priorities straight. Keep that which is most important in focus. Love and care for your family. Let them know in all the ways you can show them that you love them. Don’t let adversities or setbacks or any of the distractions of the world keep you from this most important aspect of life.

We’ll close today with the 23rd psalm ‘the Lord is my shepherd’, but before we do, on behalf of the rest of the family, we’d like to thank you all for coming and sharing with us here today.

The Twenty-Third Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sabena Dian (Clemons) Brown, please visit our floral store.