Mary Frances Brown

Mary Frances Williams Brown, Age 92 passed away on Monday February 28th at Kirby Pines Estates where she had been a resident for over 24 years. She was born on August 4, 1918 in Liberty, S.C. Upon graduation from Lander College in Greenwood, S.C. Frances went to work in Birmingham, Alabama for McKesson-Robbins. In Birmingham she met and married her late husband Hugh Martin Brown, Jr. In 1956 Hugh’s career took them and their three children to Memphis. They joined St. Luke’s Methodist Church where they became Superintendents of the Youth Department. She was also a member of the Methodist Women’s Group and enjoyed her “Lunch Bunch” - a group of eight church friends who met monthly for lunch. She was active in the PTA at Sherwood Elementary School and became a much loved substitute teacher at Sherwood. After her children were grown, she became a consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics for over 30 years. Frances was a loving mother, devoted grandmother, aunt, sister and a gracious friend loved by all. In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by her daughter Kaye Martin, her daughter-in-law Wanda Brown, her granddaughter-in-law Tanya Novarese, and two sisters, Laura Griffith and Mildred Capps. She leaves her son Martin Brown of Olive Branch, MS, her daughter Beth Jones (David) of Franklin, TN, her son-in-law Jim Martin of Cookeville, TN, five grandchildren, their spouses, eleven great grandchildren who affectionately called her Brownie and has a great, great grandchild due this summer. Frances also leaves two sisters, Jo Cracknell (Salinas, CA) and Ellen McDaniel as well as two brothers, Harold Williams and Wyatt Williams (all of Easley, S.C.). She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews and their children who loved her dearly. The family would like to thank the staff at Kirby Pines Estates for their care and give special thanks and appreciation to her principle caregiver, Ella Keys, who provided compassionate and loving care over the past seven years. Ella’s sister, Alberta Hankins, also assisted with loving care. Any memorial donations may be directed to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church on Highland Avenue or The Salvation Army. Visitation will be Saturday March 5th at Memphis Funeral Home Poplar from 2 to 3 P.M. with graveside services to follow at Memphis Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Dr. Jim Martin, Jon Martin, John Terry Novarese, Chris Novarese, Stuart McCown, and great grandson Tyler Joyce. Frances devoted her life to serving the Lord and doing his work on this earth. She loved to grow flowers, cook for her family, play cards with friends, and travel. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her and thus loved her.