Mary Rose (Walker) Brown, 83, wife of Donald Hankins Brown, formerly of Staunton, Virginia, passed away Saturday, November 6, 2021 at The Regency in Fishersville, where she recently was making her home.
Mrs. Brown was born on November 3, 1938 in Goshen, the daughter of the late Robert Edgar Walker Sr. and Baena Matilda (Paxton) Walker.
Mrs. Brown was employed as a teacher and retired from the city of Staunton school system.
Mary Rose was a member of Bethany Presbyterian Church, where she was active in many women's groups. She loved teaching children and was involved with the Bible school programs. She enjoyed reading, cooking and socializing with her neighbors.
Surviving in addition to her husband of 59 years, is a son, Donald "Keith" Brown and his wife, Christina (Zechman) Brown of Alexandria; a daughter, Amy (Brown) Thornton and her husband, John Timothy "J.T." Jr. of Weyers Cave; a granddaughter, Chloe Dianne Thornton; a brother, Robert Edgar "Ed" Walker Jr. of Goshen; and many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 11 in the Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory.
A celebration of life will be conducted at 11 a.m., Friday, November 12 in the Coffman Funeral Home Chapel by Pastor John K. Craft.
Active pallbearers will be her son, Donald "Keith" Brown; her brother, Robert Edgar "Ed" Walker Jr.; her son-in-law, J. T. Thornton, and Roland Brown, Stephen Martin and Randy Swisher.
Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Sellers and H. T. Martin.
Burial will follow in Oaklawn Memory Gardens.
It is suggested those desiring make memorial contributions to the Augusta Health Foundation, Hospice of the Shenandoah, P. O. 1000, Fishersville, VA 22939 or the Alzheimer's Association Central and Western Virginia, 355 Rio Road, Suite 102, Charlottesville, VA 22901 or Bethany Presbyterian Church, 2501 Fifth Street, Staunton, VA 24401.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive in Staunton, is in charge of her arrangements.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net.
