Mary Frances Simpson Brown

Services for Mary Frances Simpson Brown, 89, of Thomasville, are at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Mike Huling and Rev. Bob Dixon will officiate and interment is in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Brown passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at Presbyterian Home in Quitman, GA following a courageous battle with Alzheimers disease. Born December 2, 1920, in Ochlocknee, GA, Frances was the daughter of the late Ralph James and Dona Lee Simpson. She graduated from Ochlocknee High School in 1938 and continued her education at Georgia Southwestern College where she received a BA in Education and Certificate of teaching. Frances taught at the Midway School of Grady County for 2 years and Ochlocknee Consolidated School for one year. Next, she worked at the Railroad Retirement Board in Chicago, Illinois for one year and then transferred to Finney General Hospital in Thomasville, working as a Bookkeeper in the Quartermaster Department and Medical Supplies. On May 6, 1945, Frances was united in marriage to Robert Curtis Brown, who pre-ceded her in death. Employed with the Thomas County Tax Collectors Office for eight years as Deputy Tax Collector, she helped set up in 1956, the procedure for purchasing Georgia tags. She also worked in downtown Thomasville at Jack and Jills, Maxims and Lad and Lassie. Frances later worked as a Bookkeeper for Georgia Chemical Company, Hill Tractor Company, Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce, Hancock Ford Tractor, Melrose Plantation, Sloan Electric Company and Pebble Hill Plantation. In 1995 at age 75, Frances attended Thomas Technical Institute where she received a certificate of Office Accounting. She retired in 1999. Throughout her life, Frances was active in many organizations and was a devoted Christian. She was active in the Methodist Church including Dawson Street Methodist Church and Thomasville First United Methodist Church where she was a former member of the Chancel Choir, past Secretary to the Board, past President of the United Methodist Women and Sue McTier Sunday School Class. She was a past board member of the United Way and past President and member of the Nocturne Garden Club and Rose City Chapter of the American Business Women of America where she was selected Woman of the Year in 1985. Frances received Emeritus membership in the Thomasville Order of the Eastern Star where she served as past Worthy Matron and Secretary plus the appointment as Grand Representative to Florida. Frances is survived by a son Curtis Simpson Brown, a daughter, Charlotte Frances Brown, a granddaughter, Claire Brown Matt Westberg, a great-granddaughter, Caroline Ann Westberg all of Thomasville. She is further survived by her Sister in Law, Barbara Simpson, Valdosta; niece Carole George Floyd, Bainbridge; nephew Ron Karen Simpson, St. Augustine, FL; cousins, great nieces and nephews, other relatives and close friends. Frances was preceded in death by her brother, J. Ronell Simpson and an infant son, Carl Ralph Brown. The family would like to thank all of the staff of Presbyterian Home for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Thomasville First United Methodist Church, Alzheimers Association and Presbyterian Homes of Georgia. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Visitors may sign the online guest register at www.allenfh.com .