A CELEBRATION OF LIFE IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

Mary Elizabeth Coley Cheatham Brown

October 28, 1922-October 28, 2005

Mary Elizabeth Coley-Cheatham Brown was born October 28, 1922 in Oxford, North Carolina. She departed this life on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at Duke Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.

Mary, a studious pupil, attended and graduated from the famed Mary Potter Academy here in Oxford. Upon graduation, she made her home in Montclair, New Jersey where she met and married Robert Brown. The young couple began their family in Montclair and resided in Norfolk, Virginia for a short time as well, where another addition was added to the family. Finally, the family settled in Oxford, North Carolina and here the family was completed. Mary was a most nurturing mother, placing her faith and religion and her love of church and family high on the list of priorities.

She retired from the state of North Carolina in 1988 from the John Umstead Hospital in Butner, North Carolina. Prior to retirement, she also worked in dietary at JFD and after retirement, she served as a teacher's aide at the West Oxford Elementary School as a part of the Green Thumb Program (Seniors helping to educate children). She really enjoyed working with people, especially children.

Over the last twenty to thirty years, Mary had become an avid cruiser and traveler, visiting such destinations as Canada, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Florida and many othe placed in the country, especially those locations where Mary Potter Reunions or family gatherings were held. She enjoyed being with old friends, fellowshipping and witnessing the love and miracle of God. She has a wide array of friends in North Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey and has enjoyed so many wonderful times with all of them.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her mother and step-father, Pearl and John Henry Cheatham; her father, Sylvester Coley; three sisters, Katie McNeil(James), Alice Mangum(Ezekiel) and Ethel Garrett(James);her mother-in-law, Bessie Brown Douglas;brother-in-law, Willie Brown(Dorothy); sisters-in-law, Elnora Cheatham and Elizabeth Harrells(James).

Mary leaves to cherish many happy memories; two daughters, Ruth Brown Palmer(Rovelta Evans, fiance') and Antoinette Brown all of Trenton, New Jersey;two sons, Robert Brown(Doris), Willingboro, New Jersey and Ronald Brown(Carolyn), Oxford, North Carolina; nine grandchildren, Tonetta Brown, LaTonia Brown and Ronald Brown, Jr. all of Trenton, New Jersey, Melva Holloway, Durham, North Carolina, Faye Brown, and Tonya both of Oxford, North Carolina and Raymond, Manson, North Carolina; five great grandchildren, Robert Brown, Trenton, New Jersey, Tevin Brown, Oxford, North Carolina, Amen, Yashiwa and Ronnie all of Trenton, New Jersey; a great-great granddaugher, Imani, Trenton, New Jersey; one brother, Ernest Cheatham, Trenton, New Jersey; nine nieces, Pearl Holloway(Samuel) and Jean Palmer all of Trenton, New Jersey; Joan McNeil and Ethel McNeil(Greg), Trenton, New Jersey, Bessie Mae Harrells, Staunton, Virginia, Dorothy Brown, Norfolk, Virginia, Tina Wilkerson, New York city, New York, Linda Wilkerson and diane Green (Ronald) all of Oxford, North Carolina;' two nephews, James McNeil, Trenton, New Jersey and Samuel McNeil(Evelyn); one aunt, Sara Brown, Norfolk, Virginia; a special relative, Alex Palmer, Trenton, New Jersey; cousins Frank Locklear and Allene Fleming both of Brooklyn, New York; the Harris Family of Wendell and Richmond, Virginia; Chevon, Durham, North Carolina; a host of other very special cousins and friends.

Order of Service

Reverend Tolokum OmoKunde, Presiding

Prelude-----------"Abide With Me"-----Mr. Randolph Lockett

*Processional

Hymn--------------"Great Is Thy Faithfulness"-------p.158

Scriptures:
Old Testament-Psalm 23---------Reverend Jackie Lindberg
New Testament-John 10:1-9------Reverend Jackie Lindberg
Pastor, Oxford Presbyterian Church
Oxford,North Carolina

Solo-----------------------Mr. Dennis Lewis

Remarks (3 minutes please)---------Clergy and Others

Obiturary--------------------------Ms. Ethel McNeil

Solo------------------------------Mrs. Margie Burnett

Words of Comfort---------------Reverend Tolokun OmoKunde

Hymn---------------"Be Not Dismayed"--------p.137

Postlude--"It Is Well With My Soul"--Mr. Randolph Lockett
*Please Stand

INTERMENT

Meadowview Memorial Park


CASKET BEARERS---Presbyterian Men

FLORAL BEARERS---American Legion Women's
Auxiliary, Unit 166


ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The Brown Family sincerely thank all of the members of the church, neighborhood, and entire communities of Oxford, North Carolina, Trenton, New Jersey, and Norfolk, Virginia for all the kind deeds rendered during the loss of our very dear and irreplaceable mother and family member.



Timothy Darling Presbyterian Church
123 W. McClanahan Street
Oxford, North Carolina
Reverend Omotolokun Omokunde, Pastor

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO:

WRIGHT FUNERAL HOMES, INC.

3724 Salem Road 222 Zeb Robinson Road
Oxford, NC 27575 Henderson, NC 27537
919-693-8870 252-433-9400