Jane Brown

Jane Williams Gower Brown was born on January 13, 1930 in Greenville, SC, and passed away on April 28, 2025 in Raleigh, NC, at the age of 95. She was the daughter of the late Thomas Charles and Kathryn Smith Gower. At the time of her death, she was a resident of the Springmoor Retirement Community.

After graduating from Greenville High School, Jane attended Saint Mary's Junior College and graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in Religion. While at UNC, she was president of Pi Beta Phi sorority, president of the Women's Athletic Association, and a member of the Order of the Valkyries. In a religion class, Jane happened to sit behind a young man named Walter Brown from Jamesville, NC. They married in 1951, moved to Raleigh, and remained avid UNC fans for life. Her charming South Carolina accent, boundless optimism and infectious smile were unforgettable. Perhaps her favorite saying was "Now isn't that right, Waltah?"

For 25 years Jane was an elementary school teacher in the Raleigh and Wake County Schools. She loved teaching and spent countless late nights at her kitchen table grading papers with cockapoo Sibley by her side. She obtained her bus driver's license so that she could take her classes on many exciting field trips (earning her the affectionate nickname "double clutch" from the students). After retiring in 1990, she especially enjoyed playing tennis with beloved friends and spending time with her grandchildren.

Apart from her family, Jane's greatest love was Hillyer Memorial Christian Church. She served as president of Disciples Women's Ministry, as an elder, and as active part of the Evangelism Committee.

Always on the go, she also cherished camping at Kerr Lake and beach time at their condominium in Pine Knoll Shores, NC.

She was predeceased by her husband, Walter Brown, her sister, Virginia Gower, and her brother, Tom Gower. She is survived by her children: Virginia Grimes (Neill) of Memphis, TN, Margaret Nelson (Ward) of Lookout Mountain, TN, and Walter L. Brown III (Anne) of Raleigh; seven grandchildren: Jane Oliver (Mario), Ben Grimes, Merrill Nelson (Gray), Sam Nelson (Sally), Wes Nelson (Molly), Marion Jester (Mitchell), and Jane Brown; nine great-grandchildren; and a host of much-loved nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the wonderful staff at Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community who faithfully cared for Jane and Walter for 15 years.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 2 at 11:00 a.m. at Historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, where Jane will be laid to rest beside Walter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hillyer Memorial Christian Church, Endowment Fund, 718 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603; Saint Mary's School, 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603, www.sms.edu/give; or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made to bryanleefuneralhome.com