Devon Marie Brown

Celebrating the Life and Light of Devon Marie Brown

May 15, 1987 – June 24, 2025

Devon Marie Brown—beloved daughter, life coach, sneakerhead, lupus warrior, and certified bringer of joy—traded her earthly hustle for heavenly rest on June 24, 2025, in her hometown of Temple, Texas. 

She passed just as she lived: full of courage, surrounded by love, and with a heart that refused to stop glowing even in the darkest of times. Born on May 15, 1987, Devon came into this world already wrapped in purpose and wrapped in love, courtesy of her amazing mother, Mattie Roquemore. A proud graduate of Belton High School’s Class of 2005 (Go Tigers!), she went on to become a woman who embodied faith, finesse, and a little extra flair on the side. Devon didn’t just survive lupus—she danced, dreamed, and dared in spite of it. Diagnosed young, and told her life would be short, she gave lupus a front-row seat to the longest, boldest, most joy-filled performance it ever saw. In her own words: “Don’t treat birthdays as just another day. Celebrate! Do what makes you feel joy!” She took that to heart and made every day feel like a celebration of resilience and realness. 

She was a true creative—founder of Devine Creations (launched on her birthday in 2018, because why not add CEO to her birthday cake?), and a brilliant mind who pursued psychology not just for a degree, but as a path to pour back into others. As a life coach, she changed lives with nothing more than truth, laughter, and the occasional well-timed eye-roll. Before stepping fully into her purpose, Devon sharpened her leadership chops at Cato, Charming Charlie’s, and Man Alive, where her customers came for clothes but stayed for the encouragement. She always had a word, a prayer, or a joke ready—usually all three. A lover of loud entrances and louder laughter, Devon was many things: a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan (even in losing seasons—now that’s faith), a wrestling enthusiast, a dancing queen, a sneaker aficionado, and the reigning queen of “Auntie Life.” Her 18 nieces and nephews were her heartbeats, her squad, her legacy. Devon was welcomed into eternity by her beloved grandparents, Melvin and Johnny Compton, her daughter Khendyl Compton, Uncle James Sidney Compton, Aunt Sandra Compton, and cousin Brandon Compton, —no doubt waiting at Heaven’s gate with hugs, laughter, and a fresh pair of heavenly Jordans. She leaves behind her beautiful mother, Mattie Roquemore; her rock-solid aunt, Johnnie Joplin; uncles Arthur (A.J.) Joplin and Melvin Compton; and her beloved aunt, Elizabeth “Beth” Compton. She is also remembered fondly by a host of cousins and extended relatives, as well as the love of her life, John Leiato, and his devoted family—Anna Leiato and the entire Leiato clan. And of course, no tribute to Devon would be complete without shouting out her sisterhood: Ceidra Adams, Erica Batts, Cabrea Bundy, and Kahlia King. These ladies were more than friends—they were her soul sisters, her hype squad, and her anchors in every storm. Additionally, the family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff, nurses, and physicians at Advent Hospital in Killeen and Baylor Scott & White in Temple, Texas. Their attentive care and unwavering support brought comfort and dignity during our loved one’s final days, and we are forever grateful.

Devon’s life was proof that faith can be fierce, joy can be defiant, and that love—real love—outlives us all. As she once beautifully said: “I choose to live a positive life and to see the glass half-full… Thank God I don’t look like what I’ve been through.” Devon didn’t just look good—she lived good. She gave life, love, laughter, and legacy. And now, as she rests in the arms of the Savior she held so dear, her spirit lives on in every smile she inspired, every dream she nurtured, and every heart she touched.