Celestine Harvey

Celestine Harvey Shields affectionally known as “ Tina” was born January 5, 1938 to the late Homer D. and Jessie Mae Brown in Cedartown , Georgia. The community of residence was called Chubbtown. Celestine was the 5th of 13 children. She was a very kind and loving child growing up with her siblings. She had many friends as a child and as an adult.

Celestine was educated in the Georgia School System. In high school, she was very popular and was a Majorette for Cedar Hill High School Marching Band. She was always outgoing with her peers and extroverted her great personality always with a smile. Celestine was active in her church at Chubbs-Chapel Methodist Church located in Chubbtown. She was a lead singer in the Brown Sisters Singing Group. She and her sisters loved to sing God’s praises and would surely uplift the congregation with praise. They sang at many local churches in and around Cedartown, Georgia.

Celestine left Cedartown in 1959 and relocated to Columbus, Ohio. After moving to Columbus she joined Love Zion Baptist Church and was an active member until her health prevented her from attending. She worked a variety of jobs in the Columbus Community. She was employed at Western Electric, Columbus Auto Part factories as well as a Dry Cleaners. She later became a Teacher’s Assistant for Columbus City Schools for special needs children. She retired from the Columbus City Schools.

Celestine loved children. She never bore children of her own, but she was a mother to many. She and her late husband Harvey were foster parents for several years. “TT” as she was affectionately called loved all her nieces, nephews and godchildren and shared a special bond with each of them.

Celestine was preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers, Michael, Dupree and Franklin; sisters, Mary Francis, Josephine, Jeanie, Lucy and Ann all of Cedartown, Georgia. Also, spouses, Lafayette Harvey and Nathaiel Shields.

Celestine leaves to cherish her memories brothers, Jerry (Sandy) Brown, James (Elaine) Brown; sisters, Arretta Hutchins, and Jewell Strickland (Caregiver); special nephews, John Stickland Jr., Jerry Sewell (Caregivers) and Jarrett (Shakia) Brown as well as a host of other nieces, nephews, godchildren, family and friends.

Celestine will be missed by all who had the pleasure of loving and knowing her.

Visitation 11:00 AM and Funeral Service 12:00 PM Thursday, March 7, 2024 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave. (one block east of Noe Bixby, turn North on Lonsdale Rd.).

Interment at Evergreen Cemetery.