Doris T. Brown Grissett

Doris T. Brown Grissett, age 85, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2016, after an extended illness in Silver Spring, Md. She was born on May 23, 1930 in Wilmington, Delaware to John and Mary Blackston Choice. She was the seventh of eight children.
She was married to Harry A. Brown in 1943 in Wilmington, DE. Together they had six children. Married for 28 years he was her first love and although divorced she continued her love and affection for him and always encouraged her children to "take care of your father" she would say. It brightened her day when she would see him at meal times and he would visit her room at the nursing home since they were located on different floors. He survives her at age 91.Doris was briefly married to Nathaniel Grissett who predeceased her.
Doris had many careers during her life; insurance, entrepreneur and various managerial positions. As an entrepreneur, she opened Bigby's Restaurant along with her daughter and business partner, Barbara and son Peter. Bigby's was a well-known neighborhood establishment specializing in fresh fish and fried chicken from 1977-1982.
She attended Howard High School in Wilmington, and later in the 1980's graduated from Northern Virginia Community College where she was listed among Who's Who in Community Junior Colleges. After earning her certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling. She opened the first halfway house in the City of Alexandria, VA for women with substance abuse in the late 1980's.
Doris was always interested in expanding her knowledge and experience. If she saw a need she took action to address it. Inspired by becoming a caregiver for her sister Pansy and observing how much seniors needed therapeutic touch, upon retiring from the Girl Scouts of America in Newark, DE, as Director of Membership, she returned to school at age 69, earning a certificate in massage therapy. She opened her massage business, Body and Spirit in Wilmington in the mid 1990's.
Doris loved her church, New Galilee, and was an active member. She was eventually was appointed to the Mother Board by Reverend now Bishop William B. Wilmore Jr. She along with First Lady, Bernadette Wilmore established a prayer cell. Where meetings were primarily held at Doris's home for ten years in Wilmington. Doris was also instrumental as President of the Mother's Board to create a booklet entitled "A Book of Godly Wisdom" whereby all the Mothers of the Church participated in the writing with a noted scripture and their own personal words of wisdom. Her faith was incredibly strong and even upon decline in her speech due to complications of a stroke, she still managed to say the word "Amen" when you prayed with her.
Doris loved gardening and writing as well as reading the news and watching television. She loved traveling and did so with her daughters, spending time in New York, the Caribbean, Italy, Spain and Morocco.
In 2008, Doris moved to Raleigh, NC to be close to her oldest daughter, Maryann. She continued to be very active in her senior living community, where she made many friends. In North Carolina, Doris gathered with seniors and hosted weekly meetings to discuss various relevant topics for seniors. It was here she was inspired to create a newsletter "100 minutes vs. $100.00 dollars."
Doris is survived by her children Maryann Brown-Martin, Pamela Brown, Barbara (Cleveland)Sanders Harry A. (Linda)Brown Jr., D. Michael(Valarie)Brown, Peter J. Brown, and step-son, Reginald (Sheila)Hill Sr. Eight grandsons, Eric Pitts, Reginald Hill Jr., Shane Hill, Corey Allen, David Brown, Harry Brown III, Gabriel Brown, Marcellious Martin, seven granddaughters, Nicole Rae Shaw, Christina Reed, (Marcus), Nia Mosby, Morgan Hill, Victoria Sanders, April (Juan)Cruz, Elon Brown; ten great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and devoted friends.
She is preceded in death by her daughter, Marsha, seven siblings, Pansy Kelly, Katherine Miller, Catherine White, Ellie Travis, William Choice, Anna Choice and Albert Choice along with her parents.
Special thanks to our Mother's devoted friends from Wilmington Delaware and North Carolina as well as the gentle caregivers at Arcola Health and Rehabilitation Center who cared for our mother with kindness and compassion for the past four years.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Galilee Baptist Church or Special Olympics, Wilmington Chapter in the name of Eric E. Pitts.