In Loving Memory of Josephine "Jo" Pace Brown
December 15, 1929 – December 31, 2025
Josephine "Jo" Vonceal Pace Brown, the beloved only child of Willa and Alvaron
Pace, was born on December 15, 1929, in St. Louis, Missouri. She peacefully
passed away at her home in Wichita, Kansas, on December 31, 2025, after a long
and purposeful life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Val Brown, Sr.,
and is survived by her four devoted children—Sheila Brown Kinnard, Dr. Val
Brown, Jr., Gratz Alvaron Brown, and Martienne Marie Brown—as well as
her four cherished grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, who were the joy of
her heart.
A true pioneer in education, Jo made history as the first African American woman
elected to the USD 259 Wichita School Board, where she helped advance school
integration in the early 1970s under her campaign theme, "Build a Better Town
with Jo Brown." She also served for many years as Minister of Music at New Hope
Missionary Baptist Church and founded the ARISE Ensemble.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at
St. Mark United Methodist Church, 1525 N. Lorraine Ave., Wichita, Kansas.

AKA SORORITY/ LINKS SERVICE 6PM, Friday the 16th @ Jackson Mortuary Chapel.