Gladys Marucellus Brown

Gladys Marucellus Brown (née Crawford) affectionately known as “Hip-Nip”, of Columbia, Maryland, ascended from this life on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at the golden age of 86. She departed from this world as she lived, surrounded by those who loved and cherished her. 

Gladys entered the world at the dawn of World War II, in a segregated America that would shape the adversity she endured, persisted through, and ultimately overcame. She was born on Monday, September 11, 1939, to Maurice Crawford and Jeannette Crawford (née Thomas) in the District of Columbia, at Freedmen’s Hospital—one of the few hospitals that allowed Negro women to give birth. But it was Scotland, Maryland, that she called home.

She was educated in Montgomery County Public Schools and growing up, she was closely bonded with her cousin, Frances “Pigmeat” Clark (née Twyman). The two spent much of their childhood exploring Scotland and the surrounding Rockville area, going to baseball games, parties, and any gathering that brought the community together. 

From a young age, Gladys found solace, guidance, and joy in her Christian faith. She worshiped at Macedonia Baptist Church in Bethesda, Maryland — a pillar of the Black community and a place that nurtured her spiritual foundation, a church co-founded by her maternal grandfather, Granville Thomas. As an adult, she carried that devotion forward, taking her children to church every Sunday, and instilling in them the same steadfast faith that shaped her own life.

In her early years, she performed day work maintaining homes, setting a standard of tidiness that will be remembered by all that knew her. 

Gladys also had an affinity for children and family. While she grew up as an only child, she loved the large family life that she created with her husband, Cecil Brown. In addition to raising seven children, she showed that love as a School Bus Aide for the Montgomery County Public Schools until she retired. 

She was smart, savvy, and an innovator in her own right. She sacrificed her own wants and needs to be a provider for her family. Always knowing how to stretch a dollar and always saving for a rainy day.  

She was proud of her lineage. She took pride in her children and grandchildren's accomplishments and always took time to celebrate with them. Traveling from home to home and state to state adding her touch and presence to their homes. She will be remembered for her world-famous Pumpkin Bread and gathering with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren during the holidays to make it. She always had her card games and board games packed in anticipation of visiting with her family. 

Gladys possessed a quiet strength that bore her through many trials and challenges in life, but she was also known for her iron will. She was a straight shooter and a straight talker with no chaser. In recent years, she was a constant presence at the Bain 50+ Center and cherished her chosen sister friendships that she created there. 

Preceding Gladys in ascension are her parents Maurice Crawford and Jeannette Crawford (née Thomas), and siblings Emily Crawford and Clifton King.

Remaining to cherish Gladys’ memory are: her children Bernard Brown, Bernell Brown, Blake Brown, Bonita Bolden (Glen Bolden), Belinda Brown, Bryan Brown, and Bridgett Brown; grandchildren Lakeisha Brown, Nicole McConlogue, Rearnoldo Chandler, Jermone Brown, Reenita McRae, Nina Brown, Jacqueline Payne, Jenise Brown, Patrice Brown, Krislyn Payne, Brandon Brown, Teeleesia Martin-Diakite, Michael Byrd, Joel Byrd, Lauren Smith, Carmen Brown, Anastasia Miller; 15 great-grandchildren, and a host of family and friends. 

While we will miss Hip-Nip dearly, we are comforted in knowing that she is at peace with the Father. 

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