Marjorie Mae Powell Brown crossed over into Glory at the age of 89 on Friday, March 23, 2018 in Ashland City TN. She was born in Erie PA to Agnes Patterson Powell and Ralph Moore Powell. Marge's spiritual pilgrimage was inspired when at age 11 her minister inscribed her Bible with II Peter 3:18, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."
She obtained a BA degree in Christian Education from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA where she met the love of her life, J. Duff Brown. She was the Director of Christian Education at North Park U.P. Church in Buffalo, NY and the First U.P. Church, Philadelphia, PA, before becoming a full-time wife and mother to 4 children. Marge and Duff lived in Pompton Plains, NJ for 55 years.
Marge lived out her faith by leading Girl Scouts for almost 2 decades and volunteering at Chilton Hospital for over 1,500 hours. She also served on the Juvenile Delinquent Committee for Pequannock Township and was President of the PTA. Marge loved to lead Bible studies, teach Sunday School and serve as an elder and Stephen Minister at the First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains where she and Duff were members for over 50 years.
Marge used her gift of hospitality to host exchange students, missionaries on furlough, friends and relatives and loved taking her famous soups to anyone in need. She and her husband Duff served the Lord through short-term missions in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
Marge was predeceased by her husband of nearly 60 years, J. Duff Brown MD, daughter, Martha Brown Hollis (Weiland) and sister, Betty Jane Washburn (James). She is survived by sister Isabelle Malda of Denville, NJ, and by daughters Beth Brown Merry (Daniel) of Pittsburgh, PA, Deborah Brown Wasylik (Wesley) of Orlando, FL and son Scott Duff Brown MD (Kathryn) of Ashland City, TN as well as nine grandchildren: Colleen Wasylik Shytle (Timothy), LauraBeth Brown Meisenheimer (Adam), Hannah Brown Guthrie (Samuel), Josiah and Elijah Brown, Heather and Brooke Merry, Kyla and Shannon Hollis. She passed her love of the Lord and mission work onto her family, and every member has participated in Mission work of some kind.
Her enthusiasm for life was contagious, and she will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Trans World Radio, Cary, NC.
Visitation will be Friday, March 30 at 10 a.m. until time of the funeral service at noon at Cheatham County Funeral Home, Ashland City, TN, Pastor Carter Crenshaw officiating.
Interment will be Wednesday, April 4 in Pompton Plains, NJ at a private ceremony.
A celebration of her life is planned for 10 a.m. on Saturday May 26th at the First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains, NJ.