Regenia Gale Brown

Regenia Gale Watts Brown, was born to Jonathan and Leola Watts on June 1, 1955, in Birmingham, AL. Months thereafter, she and her parents relocated to Lansing, Michigan.

She was the eldest of 10 children. She committed her life to Christ at an early age, was baptized at and active in Union [Missionary] Baptist Church. As a youngster she attended Lansing Public Schools through her senior year and graduated from Waverly High School in 1973 after her family moved to the Waverly District as one of the first black families. After high school she attended Ferris State College in Big Rapids, MI where she met her future husband, Mark B. Brown. Gale later attended Ross Medical School.

Mark and Gale married on April 19, 1976 and were married just shy of 50 years. They relocated to Norfolk, VA where Mark was stationed in the Navy. They returned to Lansing in 1978. Three children were born of their union - Meketia Dionne, Stephanie Renae, and Markus Aureal.

Gale enjoyed dancing, fishing, and traveling – Vegas and Toronto were noted as a couple of her favorite spots. She also enjoyed gardening, cooking and baking, of which 7-Up cake was one of her specialties; she took pride in making different types of bread. She enjoyed watching TV, especially her “stories” and enjoyed singing. Gale was a strong second-soprano and sang with the Oldsmobile Choir; she also sang and traveled with the community-based Robert L. Jenkins Singers.

She was talented and sociable. As a teenager she modeled for Arbaugh’s Department Store and danced on high school and college dance teams. Gale was athletic – she played various sports, enjoyed bowling and watching football. She was envied and admired as a big sister, having a Wild Cherry Red Cutlass Supreme, with vinyl interior that she purchased herself while working at General Motors. She often gifted folk with endearing nicknames.

Gale was small but mighty! She lit a room with her big smile and big laugh. She enjoyed laughing and making people laugh. She loved to praise and was known for her bellowed “Blessed” and “Hallelujah!” She had a strong grip and a strong hug – greeting loved ones and comforting with encouragement that everything would be alright. Gale was a confidant and had a big heart which was demonstrated in being a nurse’s assistant, a registered organ donor, and in the same spirit as her parents, she opened her home to and housed many, from relatives to friends and those in need.

From her hospital bed, Gale made her declaration that she was “Ready to go to glory”.

Regenia Gale was preceded in death by father, Jonathan Watts; sister, LaDean Watts-George; grandparents Rosa Watts, Susie Mae Clark, Joseph Watts, Sr. and Ophelia Watts; special cousin, Dorothy Jenkins, and special sister-in-love, Cheryl Pennington.

Gale leaves to cherish her memory, husband, Mark B. Brown, children Meke’tia (Michael) Chingman, Stephanie Haynes, Mark’us Brown all of Lansing, MI; mother, Leola Watts; sisters Sophronia Watts, Lysandra Lang, Desiree Watts and Lenore Costa of Lansing, MI; brothers Jonathan L. Watts and Roderick Watts of Lansing, MI; Garrick (Luretha) Watts of Las Vegas, NV; and Linus (Nadine) Watts of Austell, GA; Keith Williams of Kalamazoo, MI, Kevin (Shania) Floyd and Jeffrey Floyd of Muskegon, MI; 7 grandchildren, Brianna, Xavyah, Michael, Jr., Trè, Jahnèsia, Henry, III, and Edward, II; 3 great-grandchildren, Terrance, KhàMari, and Jay’Keem; and her four-legged, fur baby Benji.

Gale is also cherished by Godchildren Jereny and Jalisa Robinson, aunts, an uncle, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.