Mrs. Barbara J. Brown

Barbara was born in Durham, NC. Her early years were spent between Philadelphia, PA and Durham, NC. She always said that Philly was the highlight of her teen years. She attended Hillside High School (Durham). Afterwards, she furthered her education in nursing (clinical and practical training) at Duke Medical Center. She was licensed in the State of North Carolina as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She was the mother to seven children: O'Ritia (Bjoern), Linda, Clyde (deceased), Darrell (Sabrina), Michael (Sherrie), Deborah (deceased) and Sharon (deceased). She was matrimonial partner to Mr. Clyde L. Suitt and Cpt. Thomas Brown, both deceased. Some years later, after marriage to Cpt. Thomas Brown (proceeded her in death 2001), her family relocated from Durham to Fayetteville. Eventually, the birth of another daughter, Sharon (proceeded her in death 2018) was welcomed into the family. Barbara was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in March 1967. She was well-known for her spontaneous evangelizing to anyone, at any time and any place. She lived each day with the thought that paradise was "just around the corner'. The "friends" in the Bordeaux Congregation were dearly loved by her and she had a special bond with them. Encouraging young mothers gave her great satisfaction. She delighted in taking an interest in and befriending young ones in the congregation. It was a joy for her to visit with elderly ones and enlisted others to accompany her when doing so. If there was a need to render fiduciary assistance, her generosity could be counted on. In Fayetteville, Barbara worked 20 years at a long-term care facility and 31 years for the Dept. of Medicaid and Medicare. In addition to being a skilled nurse, her passion was also educating others. Through Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC), she instructed and prepared nurse's aide students for certification. In later years, she taught senior citizens in disaster and emergency preparation. She was an advocate for individuals needing social services assistance. For over thirty years, she was a provider for mentally challenged consumers. In this endeavor, she was greatly assisted by her beloved daughter-in-laws, Sabrina, Sylvia Karen and Matilda. Barbara was an avid reader, being especially fond of Biblical and world history. As a result, she could contribute input on a variety of conversational topics. Throughout her life, she was noted as a very gregarious lady, who had the ability to easily engage total strangers in conversation. She leaves a profound absence in the lives of those left behind. Therefore, she will be dearly missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a host of relatives in Pennsylvania and New York, fellow worshippers, and acquaintances.

Mrs. Barbara J. Brown

May 22, 1938 - August 27, 2023