Mary Rose Brown

January 13, 1924 - March 25, 2018

Born on a farm in Buffalo, West Virginia, Mary Rose barely made it into the world as the family physician was delayed by a severe snow storm. Conditions were harsh on that wintry day in January 1924 and an umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck, which hindered her delivery. Challenged by the rough country roads leading to the Hurst family home, the physician found his way into the birth room just as the newborn struggled for a first breath, saving the child's life and bringing Mary Rose Hurst into being.

Mary was raised a Methodist and in the summer of 1949 attended a Methodist Women's conference on youth education on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College. There she caught the eye of one of the theological students, one Howard 'Ace' Brown, who quipped to his fraternity brother that he would marry that beautiful girl, Mary by the sundial standing. They began a long-distance courtship, with Mary returning to her family home in Clarksburg and Howard remaining on campus in Buchanon.

Three months later, they married and moved onto the campus of Drew Seminary, where Mr. Brown attended for two years and earned his ministerial degree. By fall of 1952, with two young daughters in tow, the Reverend and Mrs. Brown began a ministry in the United Methodist Church that would span the country from coast to coast and last more than fifty years. In the first parish church at Versailles, Pennsylvania, Mary and Howard would bond with an established church couple, Dorothy and Wil Schwotzer, whose friendship endured throughout their lives and across thousands of miles.

Throughout her career and ministry, Mary fulfilled her role as the pastor's wife serving in many vital capacities in each of the nine parishes where they were assigned - first as secretary to the church, as Sunday school teacher, Bible study leader and finally as director of youth education. She blessed the each congregation with her warmth and intellectual talents, and led many who were outside of the church to a deep and abiding faith in God and in the love of Jesus Christ.

For many years, Mary served as an advocate for children of poverty and disadvantaged youth, in the church as well as through public agencies. From 19997 through 2001, she volunteered as a special court-appointed advocate for foster kids through the CASA program of Riverside County.

Mary Rose Hurst Brown is survived by her children: Kathryn Lennis Mayer [Alan], Laura Hurst Brown, and Steven Howard Brown [Karen]; four grandchildren: Brittany Mayer Rose [Doug], Lindsay Mayer Corcoran [Sean], Jacob Howard Brown [Arielle], and Matthew Steven Brown [Jessica]; and two great grandchildren: Asher Howard Rose and Ryder Douglas Rose.