Madeline Doris Brown

Each of us has a set of guiding principals that define our lives. For Madeline Doris Brown; know as Granny, age 78, these principals were love and caring for family, optimism, learning, and providing a constant and understated foundation focused on enriching the lives of her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her children Janice Black (Paul Trivette) of Winston Salem, NC and Phil Black (Irene) of Pickerington, Ohio. Her grandchildren are Lindsey Stack of Asheville, Greg and Kim Black of Pickerington, Ohio and Mason Trivette of Winston Salem, NC. All benefited daily from her words, time, patience, caring, love of learning, and of course biscuits, gravy and mashed potatoes (among other things). One of her favorite sayings was there is a whole world to see, dont limit yourself. She used that philosophy to give her children encouragement and wide ranging exposure to the world through travel, conversation, and ideas. In her later years, she challenged herself with cross word puzzles, reading, and bus trips across the country. She had hoped one day to see a Kentucky Derby, a Super bowl, and the Eiffel Tower Madeline saw each day as a great day. She rarely talked about herself but focused on what was important to others. She was a lifelong learner who liked to read and talk about politics and the environment, was the 1949 Valedictorian at Barnardsville High School, received her B.S. degree from Appalachian State University in August 1953, her Master of Arts in Education from Western Carolina University in August 1977, and her Education Specialists Degree (Ed.S.) from Western Carolina University in December 1984. She was a teacher for 28 years at Weaverville Grammar School. Among other things, she was a Girl and Boy Scout leader and she supported all her children and grandchildrens sports and other activities with her active involvement. In the coming weeks she was looking forward to Greg, Kim and Mason going to prom, to Gregs high school graduation, and to seeing the next step in Lindseys young adult life. Some people keep highlights of life like newspaper clippings, but she liked to keep the small notes and other daily reminders from her children and grandchildren; things that detailed the pleasures of everyday life. It was important to her to be called Granny in honor of her Granny Ada V. Smith who lived for many years with her family. Her grandchildren considered her to be a cool Granny since she was one of the first Grannys they knew with a cell phone. She lived a full and independent life to the end, driving back and forth from Ohio to North Carolina enjoying the lives of her family. She had been the primary caregiver for her father & mother in the last 10 years of their lives selflessly giving of her time and devotion. She was born May 23, 1931 in Madison County to George McKinley Brown and Rosa Alice Smith Brown. She is survived by her brother Dr. William Clay Brown (Barbara) of Asheville, and her sister in-law Elezene Brown of Weaverville. She was preceded in death by sisters Edith Louise Brown, and Betty Marie Brown Cole, and her brothers Herbert Edward Brown, Paul Gordon Brown, Johnny Blake Brown, and Fairl Charles Brown. Visitation and the funeral service will be held Tuesday May 11, 2010 at Pleasant Gap United Methodist Church on Holcombe Branch Road in Madison County; the primary church of her and her family and her spiritual home. Visitation is from 5:15 to 6:45 pm with funeral services beginning at 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials are made to Pleasant Gap United Methodist Church c/o Gary Wood-Finance Director, 197 Holcombe Branch Road, Weaverville, NC 28787. A private family burial service will be held Wednesday May 12, 2010. From her Valedictory Speech: It is my earnest hope that everyone will continue their education in order to become a better citizen of this community. Let us make loyalty our controlling spirit and show the world we are the best citizens and truest patriots; carrying in our hearts the same spirit of courage and high minded integrity with which we must now bid each other farewell. Father we have joy at this time in all who have faithfully lived and peacefully died. We thank you for all the memories and experiences with Madeline Doris and what those mean as we strive to fully understand and appreciate the sacred ties that bind us to the unseen world. We remember and cherish our ancestors who watch us and make heaven home to our hearts. May we continue to be followers of those who now inherit your promises; through Jesus Christ Our Lord