On Aug 2, 2021, at 6:22 PM, Harvey, Kristin (DSHS) <xxxxxx@delaware.gov> wrote:
My heart hurts to hear this sad news. Like Fil, Adonis was one of the first people I met at a NACDD annual event. I was immediately drawn to his welcoming vibe, sense of humor, and calm demeanor. Adonis got me through the flight to the conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, when there was bad turbulence. He looked cool as a cucumber, and when I asked him why he said, "there's nothing to worry about dear, it's just like bumps in the road. There's no such thing as a trip without some bumps." His calm helped me to be calm. He led by example in all things, and his life made a difference. May he rest in power.
Kristin HarveyExecutive Director
Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC)
410 Federal Street, Suite 2, Dover, Delaware 19901
Direct Line: 302-739-3623
Fax: 302-739-2015
From: xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com <xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com> on behalf of Donna Meltzer <xxxxxx@nacdd.org>
Sent: Monday, August 2, 2021 5:14 PM
To: xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com <xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com>
Subject: DD Councils Passing of Adonis Brown
Friends and colleagues – it is with a heavy heart that I share the information just sent to me from a former Executive Director of the North Carolina DD Council (NCCDD) and the folks at the NCCDD, that a former advocate and member of the NACDD Board of Directors has passed away. For those of you who knew Adonis you will remember him as a large man with an even larger heart, a soft spoken voice, and a true will for self-advocacy. Adonis worked in numerous ways to support his DD Council and our national organization and network. He and his wife Clementine attended all of our conferences.
Again, I am so sorry to share this sad news.
Donna
Dear Friends and colleagues,
I am writing to share the sad news of the passing of one of North Carolina’s finest self-advocates, Adonis Brown. If you moved in the orbit of the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCDD), then you knew or knew of this sun, this center of gravity, this force for goodness, kindness and change. Adonis was a big man, but his heart was bigger. He lent he a powerful voice to the work of the NCCDD, a voice that envisioned empowerment for people with disabilities by being that truth.
You will find more about Adonis, below, including information about his memorial service later this week. Thank you, NCCCDD, for reaching out. While I do not have an email for Clementine, Adonis’ wife, my love goes out to her and all of his family.
Please do share this email with others who knew this remarkable man or were touched by his life’s work.
Holly
Holly Riddle, M.Ed., J.D., FAAIDD
Assistant Director for Olmstead Plan Development
Office of the Secretary
Office of the Sr. Advisor for the ADA
North Carolina Department of
Health and Human Services
Office: 919-527-7533
Fax: 919-715-4565
https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21840751/adonis-tovorris-brown
Here is obituary from the website
Obituary for Adonis Tovorris Brown in Durham , North CarolinaOn March 4, 1955, God lent a baby boy to Isaac and Hilda Mae Brown. They named him Adonis. This precious gift was returned to Him on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, to enjoy peace and happiness and to remain forever in the presence of a loving and understanding God. We pause to pay our last respects to Adonis. We can say without fear of contradiction that in the passing of Adonis, a sweet soul is at peace. Adonis graduated from New Bern High School in 1973. He attended Appalachian State University for several semesters, then later in life, attended North Carolina Central University for several years until he had to postpone his education for medical reasons. His family was overjoyed when he finally earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2010 and a Master of Business Administration focusing on Organizational Leadership and Health Care Administration in 2013 from Ashford University. Adonis explored several career paths but found his passion advocating for people with mental and physical disabilities through his business EnVisioned Empowerment, LLC and by participating on various boards throughout his career, including Durham Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities, First In Families of North Carolina Board of Directors, Association of Self-Advocates of North Carolina, North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities, the ARC of North Carolina, Disability Rights of North Carolina, and North Carolina TASH. He also contracted as the Executive Director for Missouri Statewide Independent Living Council before his illness in 2020. In his own words, "[Adonis has] dedicated [his] life to the ideals of independent living, community inclusion, and socioeconomic and political empowerment of persons living with disabilities" (from NCSILC.org). Adonis was joined in Holy Matrimony to Clementine Kamga Brown on March 5, 1997. They enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family. The love this couple shared will forever be cherished and remembered by those who shared in their joy. The memories of Adonis T. Brown's life will be preserved and cherished by his wife, Clementine Brown of Durham, NC; his brother, Antonio (Yolander) Brown of Dallas, GA; his sisters Pamela Brown, Bernadette Monk, and Sinoda Brown, all of Durham, NC, and Franchena McFayden of New Bern, NC; brother-in-laws Denis NGUEYAHA (Mayolande MEMEHYE), Jerome YANKAM (Therese KEUNGNE), Roger SIEWE (Julienne DJUIKUI), Yves WAGHELA (Rosine YOUDZOUA), and Raphael KEOU; sister-inlaw Catherine NGUEKA; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Adonis Tovorris Brown please visit our Tribute Store.
Events
Aug
03
First Visitation
Tuesday, August 03 2021
12:00 PM - 05:00 PMEllis D. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel
419 Dowd St.
DURHAM, NC 27701Get Directions
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Guaranteed delivery before Adonis's First Visitation begins.
Aug
04
Service
Wednesday, August 04 2021
01:00 PMEllis D. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel
419 Dowd St.
DURHAM, NC 27701Get Directions
Melissa Swartz
Planner/Evaluator II
NC Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD)
NC Department of Health and Human Services
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