In the early morning hours of December 25, 2020, God dispatched his angels to escort our dear Gereka Marie to her place in eternity and her reward for a job well done .

Gereka Marie Brown Custis was born in Portsmouth Naval Hospital on March 18, 1957 , the late John W . and Jerldean Brown . She was raised in the Norfolk, VA , in the Liberty Park and Titustown areas. She was educated in the Norfolk Public Schools system and graduated from Granby High School in 1975. She worked for D efense Finance and Accounting Service ( DFAS ) Norfolk for 24 years before retiring.

Gereka , also affectionately known as Marie or Ree , loved sports. During any sports season, she could be heard yelling at her favorite sports teams or athletes. She was a die-hard Washington Redskins and New York Knicks fan and she loved Serena Williams. When she wasn't yelling at the T.V., Ree loved to s p end time with her family. Even after she became ill, she was still a fixture at family functions. Marie was predeceased by her husband, Alonzo Custis , her sister, Vanessa Small and her father John W. Brown.

​ Marie leaves to cherish her memories, her daughter, Wendy Gun n (Derrick , Sr ), sons, Darren Custis , Sr (Victoria) and Derrick Custis , Sr ( Kenisha ); eight grandchildren, Danielle Brown, Daniel Brown, Derrick Gunn, Jr., Dekarri Gunn, Derrick Custis , Jr., Denae Custis , Dakota Custis and Darren Custis , Jr.; three great-grandchildren, Madison , Prince and Chance. She also leaves her mother, Jerldean Brown, five brothers, Philip Brown, John V. Brown (Cheryl), Baxter Brown, Dwayne Brown and Johnathan Brown and two sister s, Jacqueline Gunn (Timothy) and Kimberly Brown, a special brother, Harold Byrd and Special Friends, Oscar Jones, Betty Nelson, Ruby Goodson and Joyce Kennedy, along with a host of nieces, nephews, friends and former co-workers .

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 from 4pm -5pm at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home. A private service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 7, 2021. Due to the Governor's orders, immediate family only will be in attendance. Live streaming and online guestbook will be available at: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/71369191