Sophia René Brown's Obituary
Sophia René Brown was born September 17, 1962 in Oakland, California. She was the second child born to Alex and Pearlene Brown. Sophia was a true Oaklander and attended Oakland Public Schools; Manzanita Elementary, McChesney Junior High now known as Edna Brewer Junior High, Oakland High and Fremont High School. It was during her time at Manzanita that she met her lifelong best friend Miriamné “Mimi” Ewell.
Sophia married Marlon Cooper in October 1988 and from this union two children were born, Mia Bianca Cooper and Marnae Brianna Cooper. Sophia wanted to ensure that she was able to provide the best life for her girls by starting a career in Law Enforcement as well as working part time security for the San Francisco Symphony. In 2018, Sophia retired from the US Customs and Border Protection Department, where she proudly served for thirty-five years as an US Customs and Border Protection Officer. Sophia gained an additional family during her years of service and built strong bonds with Marisa Peinado, Marie Jackson, Irma Henry and Esperanza Mora-Bladh.
Sophia enjoyed her retirement as she got to travel the world with her daughters and spend quality time strengthening her relationships with them individually and collectively. She took daily walks with Marnae and waited every morning for Mia’s call/text after her night shift from work. Nothing made Sophia prouder than the accomplishments of her babies.
Sophia was known for her supportive and intuitive personality where she would see the best in you and push you to hone in on your individual gifts, help you plant the seeds of your dreams, and nurture you to achieve them. Sophia would remind you constantly that she knew your best and expected nothing less than that. Sophia prided herself on learning the interests of her loved ones, when she knew you enjoyed something she would find it at a discounted rate and gift it to you in abundance.
She departed this life on Monday, January 2, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents Alex and Pearlene Brown ,her brother Dana Brown, and Aunt Ruth Brown.
She leaves to cherish her tenacious spirit: her two children Mia and Marnae Cooper, brother David Brown, lifelong best friends Miriamné “Mimi” Ewell, Carolyn "Coco" Warren-Smith, cousin Regina “Genie” Polk- Rampola, fur son Braxton, family and friends far and wide.
What’s your fondest memory of Sophia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sophia?
Share a story where Sophia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sophia you’ll never forget.
How did Sophia make you smile?