Carmen Anita Brown

With deep sorrow and everlasting love, we announce the passing of our beloved sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, community leader, and friend.

Carmen Anita Brown was born on March 4, 1963, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was called home to be with the Lord on November 24, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Carmen accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior as a child and, in 2024, she rededicated her life to the Lord, drawing even closer to God. During that season of her life, she often reminded family and friends, "You've got to put your trust in God, not people."

Carmen was educated in the Pittsburgh Public School System and was a proud graduate of Taylor Alderdice High School, Class of 1981. She continued her education at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), where she earned her Associate Degree in Science on December 1, 2007. She later obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Geneva College on August 14, 2010. Never one to stop growing, Carmen returned to CCAC and earned her Certificate in Paralegal Studies on May 15, 2017.

Carmen began her professional career with the Veterans Affairs in 1996, serving faithfully as an Administrative Assistant.

She also worked as a Home Health Aide, caring for oters with compassion and dedication. Later in life, she spent time working in the paralegal field, continuing her lifelong commitment to learning and service.

Beyond her professional career, Carmen was a dedicated community leader and housing advocate in Pittsburgh for many years. As a longtime resident of the East Liberty and Lincoln-Lemington communities, she remained deeply engaged in the issues impacting local neighborhoods. In 2016, she served as President of Action United, where she played a key role in supporting the creation of the Housing Opportunity Fund, expanding affordable housing resources for residents throughout the city.

Carmen was widely respected for her commitment to housing justice, ethical governance, and responsible civic leadership. In 2022, she pursued legal action to promote transparency and accountability within city government, ensuring that public decisions were made openly and properly. Her efforts contributed to the partial reversal of a city council pay increase.

In 2023, Carmen also stood with fellow community members to oppose the proposed annexation of Wilkinsburg into the City of Pittsburgh. The court ultimately dismissed the petition, preserving the community's autonomy and local identity.

Carmen was united in marriage to William Brown, and though the marriage later ended in divorce, from that union she was blessed with one son, William Brown. She was also blessed with another son, Lamounte Hall, who was born after her marriage.

Carmen was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Ernestine "Tina" Simpson, her father, Van Gilbert, her cherished son, Lamounte Hall, and her brother, Beaver Gilbert.

She leaves to cherish her memory her son, William Brown; her loving grandchildren, Haylee Hall, Lamounte Tee Hall Jr, and Mishè Patrick; and her devoted siblings:

April Gaines, Anthony (Tony) Gaines, Helen Gaines, David Taylor, Paul Taylor, Richael (Shelly) Hundley, Roosevelt (Charlie) Thomas, Sharlita (Bit) Thomas, Vangeline (Mushy Brewer, and Annie Faye-Schofield, along with a host of nieces, ephews, cousins, extended family, friends, and community members whose lives she touched.

Carmen will forever be remembered for her strength, intelligence, compassion, dedication to justice, devotion to family, and unwavering faith in God

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