Mary Fredene (Taylor) Brown

Mary Fredene (Taylor) Brown, who passed away on Dec. 24, 2014 at the age of 66, was born in Blackwell, Okla. on July 6, 1948, where she lived until moving to Jonesboro, Ark. in 1961. She was preceded in death by her father, Merle Fredrick Taylor of Wichita, Kan. (whose death preceded Mary's birth); by her mother, Jessie Maxine (Senter) Taylor Williams of Blackwell, Okla., Jonesboro and Lonoke, Ark. and by a sister, Linda Lee Taylor (who died as an infant). After graduating Jonesboro High School in 1966, Mary worked as an auditor for Holiday Inn in Jonesboro. While attending Arkansas State University, she met the love of her life, William "Bill" Brown Jr. of North Little Rock. They married in 1968 and eight years later became the proud parents of Christopher William Brown (nicknamed "Satch" by his father). The year prior to her wedding, Mary moved to Little Rock to take an office position with Halbert Pipe and Steel Company. She later held positions at Camp Robinson in the office of the Adjutant General and the National Guard of Arkansas Association as manager of their insurance program before becoming an independent insurance agent. In her later years, she owned and operated vintage sales businesses in Hidden Treasures and other locations in North Little Rock and Jacksonville. As a child, Mary could always be located by the sound of her voice. Her passion to sing lead her to become a founding member of Morningstar Gospel Singers. She also expressed her lovely voice by singing with the choir of Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church for many years until her 14-month struggle with pancreatic cancer left her too weak to sing. Mary loved to cook, bake and hold holiday dinners and parties. Another pleasure, especially during the latter months, was jewelry making. Those who survive Mary are her husband, Bill; their son, Chris and his wife, Amy (Head) Brown, all of Alexander, Ark.; a sister, Sandra "Sandy" Taylor Mooney of Baton Rouge, La. and brothers-in-law, Mark Brown and Gary Brown and their families, all of North Little Rock, Ark. The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to the doctors and staff of Baptist Medical Health Center, North Little Rock and to LHC (hospice) for their kind support to the family and excellent care of Mary during her final days. Services will be conducted by Arkansas Funeral Care of Jacksonville at Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church, where visitation will be Monday, Dec. 29, 2014 from 5-7 p.m. and the funeral service Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014 at 10 a.m.