Helen May Finney Brown, daughter of the late James A. and Edna V. Finney, was born on June 27, 1925 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Lord saw that Helen was tired and called her home on March 30, 2013.
She was the matriarch of the family and last of the "Finney Girls." Her sisters, Lucille Jeffries, Ruth Matthews, Eva Stepney, Elizabeth Blackwell and Catherine Butler all preceded her in death. She received her formal education from the Baltimore City Public School System, but went on to receive her high school diploma in June 1985.
Helen met and later married her high school sweetheart Joseph Phillip Brown (deceased) on March 22, 1943. From this union two daughter were born, Janis Doretha and Gwendolyn.
She was a housewife for a while before entering the work force. Her longest employment (thirty-plus years) was with Baltimore City. First working for Baltimore City Hospital, then lastly with the Baltimore Public School System. She retired on January 28, 1987 and received many awards and commendation. She was dependable, knowledgeable and energetic.
Helen was a long-time member of Bethel A.M.E. Church where she was baptized. She attended faithfully while she was able.
She loved to dance in her day. Some of her favorites were the Lindy Hop, The black Bottom, the Hucka Buck and the popular Jitter Bug.
After retiring, she loved traveling all over the United States, including Puerto Rico, The Bahamas and even Canada! She loved to see plays in New York City and Washington, D.C. She was also a member of Forest Park Senior Center.
She leaves to mourn: two daughters, Janis D. Battle and Gwendolyn Tyson; son-in-law Paul A. Tyson; sis-in-law, Patricia Brown; eight grandchildren, Daryl A. Tyson (Sheila), Janis M. Davis (Emerson), Mark Battle, Renee Selina Battle, Terry Battle, Bridget Battle and William Pickens (Tia); nine great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and a host of other relative and friends