Ms. Essie Mae Brown was born on March 25, 1957 to Mr. James W. Toland and Mrs. Annie Ruth Brooks-Toland. On January 21, 2024 Essie Mae went home to be with her Heavenly Father.

She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. Essie Mae was educated in the public schools of Laurens County. She was employed by Lydia Mills and McDonalds for a total of thirty-eight years.

Essie Mae loved the Lord and lived a life of service to Him. Her spiritual journey started with Mother Mary Copeland in the late 1980’s at Mount Calvary Temple Ministries where she received her teachings of the Apostolic faith. She held many positions: usher, Sunday School teacher, devotional leader, prayer intercessor, finan-cial officer, church custodian, kitchen aid, choir member, and as-sociate pastor. She was a faithful member of One Accord Minis-tries under the leadership of Bishop M D. Jackson where she served as associate pastor. She was highly faithful to her calling in ministry and extremely dedicated to her family. She lived her faith by exhibiting the love of Christ with very few words. She walked humbly exuding the love of Christ. She was faithful in her giving; faithful in her service and faithfully dedicated and devoted. Hear-ing and reading the Word of God fulfilled her tremendously and fed her soul.

Ms. Essie Mae Brown left a legacy of unconditional love and unwavering faith to her children: Sharla Sims of Blythewood SC, Syreeta Brownof Laurens, SC, Gerald Toland of Irmo SC and Jonnathan Brown of Spartangburg, SC; grandchildren: Serenity, Jaden and Jaleil Brown, Kenneth Toland, Lamontra Sims and McWallace Williams III; great grandchildren: Raelynn, Kentrell; siblings: Richard Lee Toland, James (Sandy) Miller, Fred (Denise) Miller, Walter, Miller, Annie R. Toland, Linda (Greg) Williams, Jerline Toland, Theta Marie Toland, Christine (Oink) Tribble, Mary Carter and Tony Carter; uncles: Robert (Bernice) Toland, Heyward Toland and Joe Lewis Toland; a daughter-in-law, Karen Toland and countless other loving family members and friends.

The Celebration of Life for Ms. Essie Mae Brown was held on Saturday, January 27, 2024 in the Childs Funeral Home Chapel.