Teresa Martin Brown

Teresa Martin Brown was born September 8, 1948, and changed her residence to a mansion in Heaven on August 19, 2018. She was born in East Tennessee, grew up in Damascus, Virginia - where she married her childhood sweetheart, Joe Brown - and lived most of her life in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from East Tennessee State University, a Master’s Degree in Education from Morehead State University, Teresa taught elementary school in several schools in several cities across the southeast United States. She later attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where she pursued a Master’s Degree in Religious Education. She served as a pastor’s wife alongside her husband at many churches, including Friendship Baptist Church (1973-1975) in Glade Springs, Virginia, Cumberland Baptist Church (1975-1980) in Cumberland, Kentucky, the First Baptist Church of Whitesburg (1980-1984) in Whitesburg, Kentucky, and Hickory Grove Baptist Church (1984-2011) in Charlotte, North Carolina. Staying true to her ‘above-and-beyond’ approach, Teresa always sought to serve with excellence, whether she was creating a new curriculum for new members or beginning new ministry programs such as the Bible-based children’s worship program, The Big Attic. By nature of her strength, wisdom, and relationship with God, Teresa walked in no other shadow than the Shadow of the Almighty.

Teresa served as Vice-President of Challenge for Living, an international ministry founded in 1993. Through Challenge for Living, she participated in missions in Honduras and Ecuador, and the ‘Dr. Joe & Teresa Brown Community of Hope’ orphanage was constructed in Lucknow, India.

Beginning in 1996, along with Rebecca Martin and Yvonne Clark, Teresa co-founded NarroWay Productions in Fort Mill, SC, where she has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and held leading roles as an outstanding soloist and actress.

Teresa was the founder and director of Mighty Women of God, a ladies’ discipleship ministry dedicated to teaching, discipleship, and encouragement.

Teresa was a nationally-acclaimed conference speaker for many years. She also served as President of the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Wives Conference, and the second Vice-President of the North Carolina Baptist Convention.

Teresa has also authored many Bible Studies as well as three books: Country Fried Manna, Looking Back at the Faithfulness of God, and Lord, It’s My Hormones.

Teresa never wanted to be defined by the illness which she battled for 15 years. During that time, she rarely spoke about her fight, but endured several treatments, and never faltered in the fulfillment of her calling and her service to others. Regarding her challenging journey, she said: “I’m not going to let cancer keep me from going full speed ahead for the Kingdom. I want to slide into Heaven with skinned knees.” In her time on earth, Teresa impacted hundreds of thousands of people and was at her home, surrounded by her adoring family when she stepped into eternity.

Teresa was preceded in death by her father, J. Peery Martin, and niece, Kaylee Rabun.

Teresa is survived by her husband, Dr. Joe Brown; her children, Dr. Christa Phipps (Matt), Hope Wooten (Dan), and Dr. Timothy Brown (Jodi); her mother, Vivian Martin; her siblings, Debbie Orr (Allen), Rebecca Martin, and Phillip Martin (Lisa); and the apples of her eye, her grandchildren, Abigayle and Maggie Phipps, Kelsey and Elijah Phelps, Jackson and Chloé Brown.

The family wishes to extend a special appreciation to Lisa Martin and Erin Martin Carty for their compassionate expert medical care.

Thank you for praying, bringing food, sending flowers and cards, singing, and contributing to the causes she loves. There are no words to describe how much she will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to NarroWay Productions, in Fort Mill, South Carolina, in honor of Teresa.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:30PM on Wednesday, August 22, 2018, in the Worship Center of Hickory Grove Baptist Church, 7200 E W.T. Harris Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28215, with a Home-going Service to begin at 7:00 PM. All those who loved Teresa and her family are invited to attend and celebrate the life of this woman of God.

A memorial service honoring Teresa’s life and legacy at NarroWay will take place on Sunday, September 9, 3:00 PM at NarroWay Productions, 3327 Hwy 51, Fort Mill, SC 29715.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones.” (Psalm 116:15)