Frances Wilson Brown

Frances Violet Wilson Brown, age 93, passed away Thursday, June 11, 2009, in Orlando, Florida. She lived in Florida with her sons since the death of her husband in 2005. Frances was born November 20, 1915, in Rockwell, North Carolina and adopted by Charlie Alexander and Addie Riddle Wilson. Her parents and her husband of 59 years, King J. Brown, preceded her in death. At age six, she moved with her parents to Winston-Salem, North Carolina where her father had a position with the Turner White Casket Company. She attended Old North School and graduated from R. J. Reynolds High School with her future husband, King, in 1933. She graduated from the North Carolina Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in 1937. Upon moving to Winston-Salem, Frances joined North Winston Baptist Church but later moved her membership to First Baptist Church where she was married. She had made a profession of faith but it was not until the Hamm-Ramsey revival meeting at a warehouse in downtown Winston-Salem in 1933 that she fully committed her life to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In January, 1946, Frances married King J. Brown of Winston-Salem and started their family of five sons. Before the birth of her first son, she resigned her position as Head Nurse of the Second Floor West at North Carolina Baptist Hospital to become a full time mother and homemaker. However, she continued to use her nursing skills by giving shots and ministering to the medical needs of the elderly in the West Salem Community. She was known for the kind and gentle way she ministered to their needs. Upon her marriage, Frances moved her membership from First Baptist Church to Salem Baptist Church where she made many dear, lifelong friends and was a member for forty years. At Salem Baptist, she taught a Sunday school class for intermediate girls and a women's Bible class. For many decades she was also involved in visiting elderly members who physically could not attend church. She enjoyed caring for those who could not care for themselves. It was said that she had baked enough cookies, pies and cakes for the elderly to fill a bakery. In 1987, Frances and her husband moved their membership to Reynolda Presbyterian Church and became very active in the Prayer Ministry and with the Elderberries. She loved Reynolda and attended faithfully. Reynolda's pastors and members were a great source of love, joy, encouragement and friendship in the latter part of her life. In 1999, she and her husband joined Gideons International and Frances became a member of Gideons Auxiliary. One of the joys of her life was to distribute Bibles to any one that was receptive. Early in her married life, Frances covenanted with her husband to do four things: to serve the Lord Jesus with all their heart, to support missionaries and mission causes around the world and to raise their sons in the fear and admonition of the Lord and see that all their sons graduated from college. In order to accomplish these goals, they lived a simple, practical and modest lifestyle. Mission accomplished, Mother. To God be the Glory, great things He hath done!! Frances was very selfless, always putting the needs of others before her own. She was extremely generous with her time, money and service to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her kind and gentle spirit, her extraordinary faith in God and service to Him, her phenomenal love of her husband, her sons and their families will be her lasting legacy. Frances is survived by her five sons, Joe Brown and wife Mary of Tampa, Florida; Charlie Brown and wife Joyce of Charlotte, North Carolina; David Brown and wife Janet of Weston-super-Mare, England; Dan Brown and wife Becky of Orlando, Florida; and Steve Brown and wife Debbie of Salisbury, North Carolina. She had ten grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 19, 2009, at Reynolda Presbyterian Church. The body will lie in state thirty minutes prior to the service. The family will receive friends Thursday, June 18, 2009, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home on Silas Creek Parkway. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideons International Overseas Fund, P. O. Box 5811, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27113-5811.

Memorials:
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideons International Overseas Fund, P. O. Box 5811, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27113-5811.

Cemetery:
Forsyth Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum

Visitation:
06:00pm - 08:00pm on June 18, 2009 at Silas Creek Chapel

Service:
Instate at 10:30am Service at 11:00am on June 19, 2009 at Reynolda Presbyterian Church