Cora Lee Brown

Cora Lee Brown, 97, of Hamden, CT, passed away on July 20^th, 2026, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Born on January 16, 1929, in Newton, NC, she was the daughter of Grace Farrar and Lee Roy Sims.

Cora was a devoted mother, loving grandmother, and friend to many, who will be remembered for her kindness, humor, strength, resilience, and generosity. 

She was an avid fan of Women’s basketball and a skilled player in her own right. She valued education and was Valedictorian of her high school graduating class and received a full scholarship to Shaw University for Basketball. She was known for her lovely singing voice and enjoyed gospel and R&B music. A woman of faith, she lent her voice to her local church choir and was often commissioned to share her voice at celebrations and events for friends and family. Cora loved fashion, especially shoes and accessories, and was always well dressed and perfectly coiffed. She was an avid reader, often she could be found reading the daily newspaper with her morning coffee in hand. She enjoyed the crossword section especially, and sharing local news stories and her favorite comics with her grandchildren. In the evenings, Cora was known to enjoy her favorite game shows, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. 

Those who knew her will especially remember her gleaming smile, her sharp and playful sense of humor, and the lasting impression she left on all those who met her. 

Cora always had a strong work ethic and was a dedicated provider for her family. She moved from a small town in North Carolina to New York City, with her two small children, all on her own. A single mother, she worked tirelessly, taking jobs in factories and warehouses to provide for her family until she built a career for herself in the garment district. She joined the International Ladies Garment Workers Union Local 23 New York and built a love of fashion that endured throughout her life. She eventually met and married her husband, Van Brown, and started a life in Connecticut, where she ultimately settled, grew her family to include two more children, and a lineage of grandchildren. 

Cora cherished her family, above all. She was the devoted mother of Frankie Cintron (Raymond), Marshal Sims, Nelson Brown (Diane), Yuvanda Brown (Yeo). Preceded in death by her husband, Van Brown; son, Nelson Brown; mother, Grace Farrar; and father, Lee Roy Sims. She was the loving grandmother of Ebony Grace (Richard), Alida Chambers (Micheal), Darnell Brown (Christina), Sheniqua Little (Illyhundi), Lil Yolanda Hinton, Keyja Sims. She cherished her family’s beloved pets, especially Fefe who was her companion and a source of emotional support through until her final days. 

Although her presence will be deeply missed, the love, lessons, memories, humor, strength, and wisdom she gave her family will remain with them always.

A memorial/celebration of life will be held on September 19, 2026 at 1PM at Blackrock Church, 3685 Black Rock Type, Fairfield CT. Family and friends are invited to the service and reception. Refreshments will be served. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Cora’s name to: Clelian Center,

261 Benham Street Hamden CT 06514, who provided care, support, and friendships to Cora over the last several years of her life. 

“Why should my heart feel lonely, and long for heaven and home - When Jesus is my portion,A constant friend is He”