Pinkie D’Ella Brown was born on March 10, 1934, the sixth of 10 children born to Jesse and Pinkie Brown of Kendleton, Texas, an agricultural community and Freedmen’s town, rich in African American history.  After she graduated salutatorian from a small high school in Texas, she later joined her siblings and mother who had relocated to Los Angeles, California.       

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She quickly adjusted to life in Los Angeles, and after a short courting period, wed Lawrence Foley, a celebrated tenor and educator, on an Army base in April of 1954. Pinkie and Lawrence raised two children. Pinkie achieved several personal goals and worked as both an eligibility aid social worker and a stay-at-home mom.  

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She was a lifelong learner and received an associate’s degree from Los Angeles City College, a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from California State University in Los Angeles, and a master’s degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA, where she took her coursework in Greek. 

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Pinkie was a devoted wife, mother, social worker, student, and leader at several churches. In her local church community, Pinkie served in many ways: as a minister; a deaconess; a youth leader; a Sunday School teacher; a Vacation Bible School teacher; and a member of the Board of Directors in several Church of God ministries, including Wadsworth Church of God, First Church of God Inglewood, South Bay Church of God, and the Church of God in Culver City.  She was also active in the Interstate Youth Convention and the Hanford Camp Meeting.

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Pinkie loved making homemade ice cream, connecting with family and friends over a delicious meal, and keeping everyone abreast of the newest family happenings. She also enjoyed cruising to Alaska, visiting Paris, Montreal, the Bahamas, Martha’s Vineyard (MA), and Nantucket (MA).  

She was dedicated to her large and extended family members and could always be counted on to help with, or attend, a wedding, graduation, baby shower and other life celebrations.  

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Pinkie leaves her husband Dr. Lawrence Foley, son Monty Foley, daughter Lanita Foley (Kaija), two sisters (Brenda and Marva), and two sister-in-laws (Overlee and Wilma), along with many nieces and nephews; grand and great nieces and nephews; cousins and friends, old and young.