Mary K. Brown

Mary graduated from Wakelon High School in 1945 where she was voted "most cooperative" and her chosen slogan was "good nature is the sign of a large and generous soul". She worked in Raleigh and lived in a boarding house where she met the love of her life. She and Tom were married on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1950. They lived in Hamlet, N.C., Richmond, VA, Hamlet again and then moved to Jacksonville. Mary stayed at home to raise the children, Kathi, born in 1952, and Tom, in 1958 but went back to work when they were old enough to be on their own for a little while. She worked for Arlington Fuel Oil company and then First Federal, until her retirement.

Mary loved the Lord and served him faithfully. She joined Parkwood Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1966, moved to Delaware in 2016, and joined Middletown Baptist in April. While at Parkwood, Mary had a lasting impact on many children and adults. She taught 3rd grade Sunday School for many years. Mary volunteered as the director, secretary, and treasurer for Vacation Bible School. She also was active in Adult Small Group classes leading several departments.

Known for bringing fun and adventure, Mary and Tom enjoyed working for tour companies in North Carolina and Savannah. They toured several states and made a lot of friends. Her popularity as a hostess often had the benefit of allowing both Tom and Mary to have a free trip when a vacancy needed to be filled on a bus tour. Additionally, as a servant in the community, Mary worked for 21 years as an Auxilary Member at Memorial Hospital. She believed that God gave gifts and called people to a greater purpose. Her greatest hope was that she would inspire and encourage others to be driven by devotion to God and serve Him when He calls.

Mary was blessed to have a beautiful family. She was preceded in death by her husband Tom, six siblings and great-grandchild Hayden Elizabeth Brown. She is survived by her daughter, Kathi, and son, Tom (Brenda) Brown, and her grandchildren: Michael Lopez, Matthew Lopez, Tim, (Staci) Brown, Laurie (Shane) Dumas, Rebecca Weaver, and Danielle Brown. Her great-grandchildren are Joey Lopez, Brooke Kelly, Ryan Lopez, Kylee Lopez, Tristan Fromholtz, Ethan Weaver, Abby Weaver, Cooper Smith, and Max Smith.

Memorials are requested to be sent to Accent Care, in Mary's name: Accent Care/Seasons Foundation, 220 Continental Drive, Suite 407, Newark, DE 19713 or https://seasonsfoundation.org/donate/

Visitation will be held August 26, 2023, at 10:00 am, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 am at Parkwood Baptist Church and burial at Arlington Park Cemetery at 12:30pm.