Frances "Granny" Brown

Asheville - Frances Helen Johnston Granny Brown, 95, formerly of 301 Haywood Street died Wednesday, January 3, 2007 at St. Josephs Hospital after a brief illness. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County she was co-owner of Browns Grocery for 23 years and a lifelong member of Erwin Hills Baptist Church. She was the daughter of the late John Burgin and Ella Azalee Bishop Johnston and the wife of the late James Roy Brown who died October 6, 1988. She was also preceded in death by a son, William Burgin Brown and a sister Ethel Hawkins. Surviving are her sons, James Arnold Brown, Sr. and wife Shirley of Leicester and J. B. Brown and wife Joann of Candler; grandchildren, Darlene Grooms and husband Rex, James Arnold Brown, Jr. and wife Patricia, Deanna Parker and husband Brad and Denise Wright and husband Kenny and great grandchildren; Kelly Grooms, Heather Hollifield, Ashley Hollifield and Amber Wright. Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Saturday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home with the Revs Marty Conner and Ricky Townsend officiating. Burial will be in the Turkey Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 P.M. Friday at the funeral home.