Marlene Patrice Stephens, 69, passed away on June 18, 2024. She was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia and was the daughter of Thomas Brown and Thelma Brown. Marlene graduated from Menchville High School in 1973 and later graduated from Peninsula Health College.

She has two surviving sons, Melvin Stephens Jr. of Newport News, Michael Stephens of Newport News, and a grand daughter Makiyah Brown of Newport News, and one stepson Melvin Nichols Sumpter, South Carolina. Brothers still living Cornell Brown of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, and Elmore Brown of Charlotte, N.C. she also has a sister Margo Brown Newport News, Virginia. Brother Rev. James Brown of Newport News (deceased) 3 Sisters Charlene Wardrick her twin sister (deceased) Lena Brown (deceased) Nikki Stokes (deceased). Her nieces include Charlotte Smith of Newport News, Charmaine Little of El Paso Texas, Felicia Brown of Hartford, Connecticut, Ann Deloach of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bernadette Brown of  Newport News, Liann Brown of Charlotte, N.C., Kiara Brown of Newport News (deceased), Avis Brown of Hartford, Connecticut, Latitia Stokes of Hampton, and Mariah Starks of Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Nephews include Carlton Boyd of Newport News (deceased), James Brown Jr. of Newport News, Elmo Brown, Jr. of Charlotte, N.C., Frederick Wardrick of Newport News, Cornell Brown Jr. of Hartford, Connecticut, Rodriguez Brown of Hampton, Virginia (deceased), Marlon Deloach of Denver, Colorado, and Orlando Nichols of Newport News. Special friends, Marie Ricks, Cynthia Brockington, and Cynthia West.

Marlene was a private care nurse and worked for West Telecommunications before retiring. She loved playing Virginia lottery pick three. Donations can be cash app to: $vabadnews