Reverend Helen Guerard Brown

The Reverend Helen Avis Guerard Brown was born on September 3, 1934 in Wheeling, WV to the late Reverend Augustus Louis Guerard and Eunice Porter. She was the oldest of her seven siblings; preceded in death by parents, and step mother Mable Louise Guerard, siblings, Marva, Augustus, Vera, and Barbara Ann; also preceded in death her loving son Thomas Brown Jr. and devoted friends, Delores T. Williams, and Roberta Verble.


At an early age Reverend Brown relocated to McMinnville, TN. with her family. She was educated in the Warren County Public School system and graduated from County High School. After high school she began studying at Vanderbilt University to become a nurse, however God had other plans, and he placed on her heart the desire to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education. Reverend Brown better known as “Mother Dear” to her loved ones and close friends soon opened Helena’s Day Care, which thrived and served the South Nashville Community for more than 40years where she employed Georgia Dixon, Lucille Moore, and Marilyn Settles as Assistant Teachers.


Reverend Brown graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Trevecca Nazarene College, and later received her license to teach English Language Learners from Tennessee State University.


Reverend Brown spent most of her life serving others. Before she answered her calling from God and went into ministry, she was an active and devoted member of the Angelic Choir and the John Wesley Gospel Chorus as a very strong alto. Reverend Brown as served in many capacities at John Wesley such as Superintendent of Sunday School, President of the United Methodist Women, and Director of Vacation Bible School. She served as an Associate Minister at John Wesley UMC for many years, she also served Christ through her efforts with the Women’s Ministry at the Tennessee Prison for Women where she served as Chaplin, and the Angel Tree Coordinator for her church. Reverend Brown was a pillar in her community. She was not only an educator, but she was also a voice for her community. She served on the State Democratic Executive Committee from 1970 to 1982, volunteered at the Crisis Call Center, served as President of the Manna Food Project for several years and was awarded by the Tennessean for three years for her extraordinary merit in the open forum of Letters to the Editor. Reverend Brown was a committed Christian, Reverend, and Dynamic early childhood educator in the realm of the church, in civic life, and as an eminent member of her community.


Reverend Brown’s life is celebrated and remembered with love and admiration by her loving and devoted daughter; Avis Adkins and loving son Dineen (Pam) Brown; grandchildren; Aisha Adkins (Mr. Rob ), Michael Rashon Adkins, Christopher Adkins, Austin Adkins, Victoria (Nick) Brown, Shanese Brown, Ke’Aundra Brown, Devin Brown, Alyssa Brown, Jada Matthews and Jacoby (Koya) Manns; great-grandchildren; Christian Somerville, Brayden Somerville, Dylan McDonald, Garrison McDonald, Jaila Matthews, Luca Sarmadi and Jerzey Manns; brothers; Robert (Jennifer) Guerard, and Victor Guerard nieces, Antionetta Gerard Robinson, of New Jersey and Christy Guerard, nephew; Alan Guerard; devoted friends Mildred Haney, and Joyce Montgomery, god-daughters; Kim Henry and Dr. Lisa Montgomery, caring neighbors; Mr. and Mrs. Jerry O’Connor.


Friends and family will gather to celebrate her life and Legacy on Sunday, November 6, 2022 visitation at 2 o’clock with Memorial Services immediately after at John Wesley United Methodist Church, 901 Benton Ave. South Nashville, Tn 37204 Reverend Daniel M Hayes Senior, Eulogist