Cassandra Ann-Gill Brown

Cassandra Ann-Gill Brown, 70, passed away on September 17, 2026, in Topeka, Kansas. She was born on August 29, 1956, in Queens, New York.

Cassandra built a life marked by dedication to work, education, and family. She graduated from Jamaica High School with the class of 1975 and went on to become a college graduate. She also earned her Certified Nursing Assistant certificate, reflecting her commitment to continuing her education and broadening her abilities. In her professional life, she served as a Civil Servant at Fort Riley, working with CPAC. She also worked for the Armed Forces Bank in Junction City, Kansas, and was employed by Footlocker and Montgomery Ward Department Store, both in Junction City.

Cassandra was a spunky person. She was a classy lady that liked to dress fashionably. She was a determined person that liked to get things done. Some of her greatest accomplishments was graduating from basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. She entered the United States Army in September of 1976 and was honorably discharged in September of 1979 as an E-3. In the  Army, she was a multi channel equipment operator. 

Cassandra enjoyed ceramics. She made a lot of lamps and music boxes. She enjoyed collecting clocks. She also enjoyed shopping and going to the casino. The children enjoyed listening to classic jazz music and dancing in the living room. Selena enjoyed calling her mom everyday. The children also remember a special nighttime prayer that she recited every night.  She was a traveler enjoying traveling in and out of the country. 

In July 2005 she married the lover of her life William G. Brown, Jr. They had twenty one wonderful years of marriage.

Above all, Cassandra will be remembered by the family who will carry her love forward. She is survived by her sons, Vincent Shepherd (Queentonya), Andre Shepherd, William G. Brown (Enrico), and Michael Brown; her daughters, Selena Shepherd, Shemeka Brown (Elliot), and Shanitra Brown; her godson, Jonathan Valles; her daughter and niece, Lotus Brown; and her sister, Patricia Brown. She also leaves behind a cherished group of grandchildren: Nathan Shepherd, Nevaeh Brown, Camille Shepherd, Chloe Shepherd, Niko Brown, Mya Shepherd, Nirah Begnoche, Leila Shepherd, and Halle Smith, father-in-law Rev. William G. Brown, Sr; her second mother, Charlotte Shepherd. Each of them was part of the circle of family that meant so much to her, and her memory will remain with them in lasting and meaningful ways.

She was preceded in death by her husband Willian G. Brown, Jr. He died December 27, 2025. She was preceded in death by her mother, Selena L. Williams, two God Children, Cruzeil (Diamond) and Shamone Walker. 

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation with family on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Johnson & Mass-Hinitt Funeral Home. A rosary will follow the visitation from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. A graveside service with military honors will follow the funeral at 1:00 p.m. at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery Manhattan, KS 5181 Wildcat Creek Road, Manhattan, Kansas 66503.

Cassandra Ann-Gill Brown will be remembered with love, gratitude, and respect by all who knew her. Her life’s work, her devotion to learning, and the family she leaves behind stand as a lasting tribute to her memory.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to her life long friend and the father of her children Samuel Shepherd. The family would also like to thank Lucinda Shepherd who was her spiritual support person and James Fleming that she looked up to as a father figure and a person that would give her profound spiritual guidance. The family would also like to thank the staff Advena Living on Tenth in Topeka, Kansas.