Ellen Brown Obituary

Ellen Brown of Lucknow passed gently from this life on June 21st at the McLeod Hospice House in Florence. An eighth- generation and life-long South Carolinian, she was 85 years old. The first of five children, Ellen was born and raised in the Shamrock Community near Bethune by her parents, Jack and Frances Ingram Stephens. Growing up, she never much cared about helping around the house, but she loved her books. After graduating as valedictorian of the Bethune High School Class of 1958, Ellen attended Winthrop College majoring in Home Economics. After a brief interruption to marry and start a family with Howard Brown, Ellen completed her degree at Winthrop in 1966.

Relocating to Florence, Ellen kept busy raising three young children while Howard was busy selling life insurance. In 1969, after a number of interim minister appointments, Howard accepted his first full time pastorate which meant Ellen had a new role as pastor’s wife. This busy unpaid position was a role she fulfilled expertly and faithfully for the next 50 plus years. During this time, Ellen and Howard welcomed one more child, and she supported Howard as he earned his college degree.

Once she had her oldest child in college and youngest in grade school, Ellen began teaching elementary school full time in addition to her church duties. In 2002, she retired from teaching at Antioch and Jackson Schools in Camden after 24 years of service as an educator. She and Howard spent their retirement years in the Lucknow Community in Lee County and enjoying travel before living their final years at the Manor Senior Living in Florence.

Ellen and Howard prioritized giving their children the opportunities, love, and support to become successful and happy adults, and they took great joy in being grandparents.

Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, husband Howard, Howard’s brothers and sisters, and brother-in-law, Bob Jarvi. She is survived by her siblings Margie Knight (Kenneth), Betty Jarvi, David Stephens (Linda), and Rip Stephens (Marsha); sister-in-law, Marcia Davis Brown; children, Scott (Alex Fitzpatrick), Karen (James McMurphy), Barry, and Greg; grandchildren, Adriana and Emily; beloved in-laws; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 2:00pm Friday, June 27 at Antioch Baptist Church, 1875 Antioch Road, Camden, SC, burial will be in Shamrock Baptist Church Cemetery, 3573 Porter Road, Bethune, SC. Visitation will be held Thursday, 5:00-7:00pm at Norton Funeral Home, Bishopville Chapel.  The family has requested you join them for a reception in the fellowship hall on the day of the services from 12:00-1:30 on Friday.

The family is thankful for the loving care that Ellen received from the superb staff at McLeod Hospice House in Florence; particularly Marquita and Quitta.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Howard Hampton Brown Scholarship at Francis Marion University, Post Office Box 100547, Florence, SC 29502-0547.

 Norton Funeral Home & Crematory of Bishopville is honored to be with the Brown family during this time.