Leona Russell Brown

Leona Russell Brown joined her Heavenly Father and her beloved departed family members in paradise on Friday, April 8, 2022. Leona was born in Cherokee Sound in Abaco, Bahamas on November 4, 1947, to Roy and Edna Russell. She grew up with her three older brothers, Kent, Ray, and Barry in a quaint Bahamian community with affable neighbors, adoring relatives, and pastel painted homes. She spent her childhood exploring the islets and enclaves searching for conch shells and sea glass, watching the tide roll in and out under Long Dock in front of the family home. Leona moved to Palm Coast, Florida where she met the love of her life, Jerry Brown, whom she married on April 15, 2000. On May 6, 2011, she proudly took the oath to become a citizen of the United States of America. For the past 21 years, she has been the Director for St. John’s Builders Counsel. She has impeccably organized countless annual events including parade of homes, fishing and golf tournaments, holiday events, galas, award dinners and membership drives. Her incredible career was recognized by the Northeast Florida and St. Johns Builders Counsels last year when she was presented with a Rolex watch in celebration of her outstanding contribution and dedicated service. Leona’s co-workers and supervisors fondly remember her as a fun-loving and hard-working member of the team with a smile that was contagious. Leona’s love of adventure was shared by her Bahamian cousin, Mrs. Arlene Albury Willman. They planned many adventures across the globe to far-away destinations in Ireland and Hawaii and closer to home in the Bahamas. Leona organized several “Children of Hatchet Bay” Reunion events to re-connect with family and friends who met in Eleuthera. She is one of the original members of the Twin Silos Surfing Association. Her Bahamian ties remained strong throughout the years with frequent visits to the islands. She enjoyed relaxing by the ocean, sipping a chilled island libation, and listening to Calypso music float on the breeze at Pete’s Pub and Hatchet Bay Yacht Club. Though Leona loved her career and traveling, her most beloved moments were spent with family. She traveled frequently to Hawaii to spend time with her son, Daniel and her grandson, J.D.. Whether sailing offshore Oahu or sitting under the stars listening to Jimmy Buffet perform at Diamond Head crater, she soaked in the time with “her boys” whom she adored. Closer to home, she loved spending time sitting poolside and talking with her daughter, Lise. Leona proudly attended her granddaughter, Kristin’s, graduation from Navy boot camp in 2013 and her great grandson, Wyatt’s, first birthday in 2020. She and her husband, Jerry, enjoyed watching glorious Florida sunsets from home as dolphins and manatee swam past their dock. She is famous for her family recipes--sour orange conch salad and crispy conch fritters. Leona is survived by her husband of 22 years, Jerry Brown and his son, Steven Brown; her son, Daniel Tomlinson and grandson J.D.; her daughter, Lise Tomlinson; her granddaughter Kristin Galvano and great grandson, Wyatt. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Edna Russell; brothers, Ray and Barry Russell. She is also survived by her brother, Kent Russell. A private Celebration of Life will be held with close family in June. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Flagler Humane Society https://flaglerhumane.harnessapp.com/wv2/donate to celebrate Leona’s love of animals. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day… 2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV St Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Leona Russell Brown

November 4, 1947 - April 8, 2022