Wilma Irene Brown

Wilma Irene Brown - dedicated wife, mother of three, and grandmother of eight, passed away on November 12, 2024, at the age of 76. She was surrounded by her loving family in Raleigh, NC as she entered God’s glorious kingdom.

Wilma was born to Harry and Gladys Bacon in November of 1947, joining a family of three older brothers, and welcoming a younger brother a few years later. The family grew up and resided in Hamburg, NY, where Wilma attended college at University of Buffalo. Following a lifelong love of music, Wilma graduated with a degree in Musical Performance, specializing in the organ. She held a position as church organist while still in school. Music would forever remain a significant part of Wilma’s life.

Wilma married Gary Paul Brown at All Saints Lutheran in Hamburg, NY on May 9, 1970, and within 5 years, their family was complete with daughters Melanie and Gretchen, and son Jason. Wilma and Gary enjoyed 54 years of love together. The song of Wilma’s life is one of creativity, strength, perseverance, love, and warmth. As a teenager, Wilma lost her mother to cancer and helped to raise and care for her younger brother. Her childhood was cut short by these responsibilities, but as she did with all of her challenges in life, she took them on with a quiet confidence and tireless passion. Wilma struggled with vision problems but never allowed that to slow her pursuit of what she loved. She loved to create music, she was a master seamstress, she could play multiple instruments, she sang and led many church choirs, and there was not a single arts and crafts project that she couldn’t perfect in short time.

Wilma loved her children dearly and was always a willing volunteer at school and at church. That same love carried over for her grandchildren, as she savored every opportunity to watch them in school competitions, on the sporting fields, and on the dance stage. Wilma is survived by her husband, Gary; their children Melanie LaRusso (Larry), Gretchen Deaton (Dan), and Jason Brown (Heather); grandchildren Mallory LaRusso, Wesley Brown, Jack Deaton, Olivia LaRusso, Peyton Brown, Henry Deaton, Charlie Deaton, and Matthew LaRusso.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, November 30 at 11:00am, at Resurrection Lutheran Church, located at 100 W Lochmere Dr., Cary, NC, 27518. Family and friends are all invited to celebrate Wilma and enjoy her eternal music. Memorial donations may be made in honor of Wilma to the church in which she found great joy in service to Christ in her later years, via https://jordanapex.org/giving

Brown Wynne of Cary is honored to serve the Brown family. www.brownwynnecary.com