Mobile has lost a woman who had a deep influence on its cultural scene: Carmen Brown, who had a long career in local radio and who co-founded the jazz appreciation society MOJO, died Monday evening, according to friends.

As the news spread, many paid tribute to her as a trailblazer and a mentor.

Family had warned in recent weeks that the end was near. In late April, her son launched a GoFundMe drive to help with the costs “of her end-of-life transition.”

“My name is Greg Bender, the only son of Carmen Brown-Bender,” he wrote. “You may recognize her as Carmen Brown from her broadcasting career at radio stations all over the United States, beginning as a student DJ/volunteer at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI in the ‘60s. Her Alabama broadcast career includes on-air and management positions at WBLX FM, WKRG FM, WKRG TV5, WHIL FM and WDLT FM … well, you get the picture. My mother has a storied and celebrated career in the entertainment industry, culminating with a late-night spot as a Jazz DJ on Nspire U, an internet radio station.”

“COVID-19 has been an unprecedented challenge for all of us, especially Carmen, whose exuberant and extroverted personality thrives on community-building and championing the arts,” Bender wrote. “And despite taking extreme precautions at great cost to her social life, she contracted COVID-19 in March of 2023. Because of several existing health complications, the COVID virus turned into pneumonia, she rapidly lost weight, fell twice and broke a hip, and – as if ALL THAT wasn’t enough – learned that she had terminal esophageal cancer. We were both devastated that she’s had to endure so many difficulties in the last two months and fiercely committed to supporting her just as unfailingly as she has supported so many throughout her life.”

Bender said that Brown had opted against invasive treatments, opting “to die comfortably at home surrounded by the people that love her and the memories she’s collected through the years.”

Though Brown had served as a DJ in various radio formats and had a broad appreciation of music, she had a special love for jazz and worked to foster it in others. As the host of a long-running “Smooth Jazz Sundays” program on WDLT-FM, she brought fellow jazz fans into the studio as “Smooth Operators,” letting them spin, and discuss, favorite tracks from their personal collections. Her willingness to bring civilians into the studio provided a rare level of listener engagement.

In August 2012, she was inducted into the Alabama Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. Sharon Tinsley, then president of the organization, said that “one of the really important facets of this is that the person is also involved in their community.”

In among her career credits, Brown helped launch a long-lived cultural organization, Mobile’s Mystic Order of the Jazz Obsessed (MOJO), with Kevin Lee in September 2001. Brown soon became known as “the MOJO Muse.” The group was later honored with a Mobile Arts Council “Arty” award, and at the 2013 awards Brown was honored for lifetime achievement.

On Tuesday, what stood out for many was not Brown’s resume but the determinedly positive spirit and deep wisdom that had made her a guiding light to many. More than one person posting on her Facebook page compared her to the “Star Wars” character Yoda.

“In 1991, I started working at WKRG News Radio 710, where I met the Legendary Carmen Brown,” wrote Joy Washington. “She worked for WKRG TV-5 at that time. She took me under her wings and became my mentor when the word wasn’t used as much. Her amazing gifts/talents along with her strength and free-spirited personality was a joy and pleasure to experience. I am grateful God allowed us to connect and bond. Praying for her son and family, and many friends and mentees. She touched so many lives.”

“With heavy hearts, we share the news of the passing of Carmen Brown,” posted the operators of Nspire U. “Carmen was an incomparable person, mentor, friend and family member. Full of wisdom and talent that she didn’t mind sharing with others. We will miss this great ‘Jazz Legend’ and will keep her sweet spirit with us.”

“Carmen’s dedication and joy in life filled her years with fascinating people and opportunities. She was a strong woman, a loyal friend, an integral part of the local music scene, and a mentor to many,” shared Patricia Yunker Hartman, who said Brown had passed a little before midnight on Monday. “Carmen will be missed, but she is at peace now. Our prayers go out for her son, Greg Bender, his wife, Kendra, and his daughter, Cora.”

“Carmen Brown was tireless in her support of Mobile’s creative community,” posted the Mobile Arts Council. “We appreciate you for dedicating your time and talents towards promoting the arts throughout your lifetime!”

Brown’s signature parting line on air and off was “Slow down, ‘cause where you’re going is gonna be there when you get there … and nothing happens ‘til you get there, baby! Straight ahead!”

“I never say ‘goodbye’ on the air,” Brown said in a 2016 AL.com interview. “I never have. The DJ’s creed is, you’re only as good as your last show. Just wait till the next one.”