Mrs. Shelma Elizabeth Gladden Brown, known as "Foxy Brown" to family and friends, slipped away in peace on Monday, June 7, 2021 in the presence of her children.

Shelma was born March 12, 1937, in Newberry, South Carolina to the late Mrs. Gladys Nelson Gladden and Mr. Eugene Gladden. Shelma graduated from Atkins Senior High School, Class of 1955. She also attended Forsyth Technical Community College where she took Early Childhood Development classes. Shelma Gladding was a softball team member for the 14th Street Girls Softball team. In August 1954, Shelma and her team members won 37 -1 against the Happy Hill Gardens girls softball team where she hit a homerun at the playground. She was a true team player.

Shelma was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in her early years. She attended Friendship Missionary Baptist Church where she was a part of the Nurse's Board, and later moved her membership to Redeemed Missionary Baptist Church, under Pastor Gary Walker.

Shelma worked with Housing and Community Centers; a part of Experiment in Self-Reliance for over 25 years, where she worked a different community centers in the City of Winston-Salem, NC. She earned another nickname from some of the children in the Boston Community Center area, "Bowlegged Brown aka BB" because of her bowlegs. She volunteered more than she worked after retiring with the love of her life Mr. John Henry Brown, Jr. affectionately known to her as "Dizzy."

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband Mr. John Henry Brown, Jr. of 61 years; two daughters, Charlita G. Gladden and Johnnetta H. Brown; one son, John (fiancé Yolanda) H. Brown, III; seven grandchildren, Shavon Gladden, Jamarr (Kiara) Gladden, De'Carlos (Alycia) Brown, Sherman (Taja) Brown, Brandon (Jenee) Brown, Shenice Wright, and John H. Brown, IV; goddaughter,  Aniah Hill, special daughter, Teresa Buey; 24 great-grands; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 6:00pm Friday June 11, 2021 at Russell Funeral Home.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00am Saturday June 12, 2021 at Redeemed Missionary Baptist Church, 1170 W. Clemmonsville Rd, Winston-Salem, NC.

Interment will be held at 10:00am Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, NC.