Lutrelle Brown

Lutrelle (Lou) Poole Brown, 4664 Styers Ferry Rd., Winston Salem, NC passed away Friday September 9 at home.  Lou was born in Banks County, GA and grew up in Baxley, GA through high school.  She attended Anderson Memorial Hospital’s school of nursing, and after graduating in 1949, she began a nursing career that spanned 45 years.  In 1950 she married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Brown, a student at Clemson College.  In 1956 the family moved to Wilkes County, NC and she worked at Wilkes General Hospital, beginning in the operating room, and she worked in several other departments.  She later worked in the offices of Dr. Lewis and Dr. Hubbard, and finally in school health, retiring after 19 years at the Wilkes County Health Department.  She received many awards for her work in school and public health and her support of the Cancer society.  She was recognized as one of the “Great 100” of North Carolina in 1989.  After Bob died in 1993, Lou built a house in Lincolnton, GA, getting back to her Georgia roots, enjoying the “lake life” on Lake Thurmond.  After several years, she moved to Lewisville to be closer to her children and closer medical care.  When her health began to fail, her son and daughter-in-law built a house in Winston-Salem, and she moved in with them, where she lived until her death.  Lou was very active in Wilkesboro UMC, Lincolnton UMC, and Brookstown UMC, including United Methodist Women with special emphasis on missions; she made several trips to Louisiana to work with United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).  Lou was preceded in death by her parents (Hosea and Minnie Bell Poole), 2 brothers (George and Roy Poole), 2 sisters (Bernice Evans and Ola Thomas), and her husband Bob.  She is survived by her son Gordon Brown and wife Carmen, daughter Melissa Mowery, son James Brown and wife Debbie; one brother, John Poole; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.  A celebration of her life will be held at Brookstown United Methodist Church on Sunday, September 18th at 3:00 with the Rev. James T. (Chip) Webb and Reverend James F. (Jim) Patterson officiating.  In keeping with her love for medicine, her body was donated to the Bowman Gray School of Medicine.  In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Brookstown UMC for missions, 6274 Yadkinville Rd., Pfafftown, NC 27040, or to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston Salem, NC  27103.  Hayworth-Miller funeral services in Lewisville, NC is serving the family’s needs.