Susie Brown, singer James Browns mother, dies

<p>Susie Brown, the mother of singer James Brown, has died of heart failure. She was 87.</p><p>Brown died at Augusta Hills Nursing Center Thursday after an extended illness. But even as her health failed in her final years, Brown loved to brag about the success of her only son.</p><p>When she was in the hospital, she would tell them in a minute who she was, said Browns nephew, James Carter of Bamberg, S.C. He was her heart, boy. And he loved her, too.</p><p>Brown was born in Bamberg County, S.C., in 1916 and attended Bamberg County schools. As a 16-year-old she met James Joseph Brown Sr. during a trip visiting family in Barnwell County and the two were married in 1932. Son James was born the following year.</p><p>In the 1950s, Brown moved to New York City, where she worked as a seamstress in the citys garment district. As her son began his singing career, she became one of his most devoted fans, attending nearly every show he performed in New York.</p><p>Every time he was there, he would contact her, Mr. Carter said. She would hop in a cab and go. She got to know New York as good as anybody.</p><p>Brown returned to Bamberg County in 1976 to be closer to family and her son. His success was a shining light in her life, Carter said.</p><p>She just loved it, he said. She was so proud of him.</p><p>Brown is survived by her son, James, nephew James Carter, sister Jettie Loadholt and brother Earl Behling.</p><p>Johnson-Dash Funeral Home of Bamberg is handling funeral arrangements.</p>

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