Ms. Tonja Deyon Brown

Adams announces the passing of Ms. Tonja Deyon Brown, 50 who transitioned on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, GA.

A Celebration of Life will take place at 11:00 AM, Monday, October 2, 2023 in The Adams Chapel.

Viewing will be held 1 hour prior to services beginning at 10:00 AM on Monday, October 2, 2023 in The Adams Chapel.

Interment: Magnolia Memorial Gardens.

Obituary

Tonja Deyon Brown was born on June 1, 1973, to Mr. Willie Brown and the late Mrs. Shirley Allen Brown in Savannah, Georgia. 

Tonja was a devoted and incredibly influential mother to her daughter, Ashley, and a loving sister, cousin, niece and friend to many. 

While growing up in Savannah, Georgia, Tonja attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, John W. Hubert Middle School and Sol C. Johnson High School as a teen and into adulthood she excelled academically.  After defying all the odds of an unexpected childhood pregnancy, Tonja bravely changed the direction of her life, becoming a Hampton University graduate.

After graduating from Hampton University, Tonja started her professional career at CNN as an Accountant. Tonja transitioned into CNN Marketing, where she created and led CNN’s first long-term and cross-functional strategic planning process, resulting in increased audience awareness of programming and more sponsorship opportunities. Tonja was the mastermind of CNN’s Fit Nation and Impact Your World that has profoundly and literally impacted people around the world. Tonja moved into CNN Ad Sales strategic integration and was a key partner in developing CNN’s first - ever business case study for diversity in 2006.

Tonja advanced her career to become Vice President of Business Integration at 21st Century Studios. Tonja also founded her own brand strategy consulting firm Giles Allen LLC. Tonja partnered with Ozy Media to launch the first ever Ozy Festival in Central Park with panels lead by Malcolm Gladwell, Melinda Gates, Van Jones, Will.I.Am and Katie Cuoric. Her clients also included Atlanta United Soccer Club and the Black News Channel (BNC).

Tonja was a true inspiration. She overcame adversity to achieve great things, and she lived her life to the fullest. She always strived to learn, be better and grow. She was always willing to help others. She was a passionate athlete who loved to push herself to the limit by training for marathon races around the world. She was world traveler that visited France, Germany, Guatemala, Brazil, Canada, Spain, Malta, Italy, Turkey, and Mexico.

Tonja's life was a testament to the power of perseverance and determination. She overcame many challenges, but she never gave up on her dreams. She was an inspiration to all who knew her, and her legacy will continue to inspire others for generations to come. 

Tonja was preceded in death by her grandparents Lillian and Benjamin Allen, Alice and James Flowers.

Tonja is survived by her daughter Ashley Brown, her father Mr. Willie Brown (Amira), her brother Eli Brown, her sisters Stefanie Wright, Ana Ibrahim, Ayah Turner, her cousin Clinton Lee, her nephews Sebastian and Cameron Wright, Eli Jr, Ezra and Ace Turner, her nieces Roslyn Wright, Elon Brown, Savannah Ibrahim, beloved uncles and aunts and a host of cousins, beloved friends and her entire village of colleagues.