JoAnn Brown

JoAnn or “Jody” as her grandchildren called her, was born on December 14, 1933 in Doraville, Georgia to Ralph E. Jolley and Nora B.Tanner Jolley, where she lived until moving to Decatur, Georgia, where her family ran a dairy farm. She attended Druid Hills High School and after graduation, worked in Atlanta at an insurance agency. She married her high school sweetheart, Charles Earl Brown of Clarkston, Georgia in 1951. They lived in Clarkston for 2 years until they moved in with her parents in Buford, Georgia to await the birth of their son, Barry. They soon returned to Clarkston, Georgia, where JoAnn became a homemaker and a mother again five years later when she gave birth to their daughter Bonnie. After their daughter’s birth, JoAnn and Charles moved to Atlanta to build their dream home. JoAnn continued to live in her home for 62 years.

During her lifetime, one of her greatest joys was her beloved Rehoboth Presbyterian Church, where she was a very active founding member. She taught Sunday school and was a youth leader for many years. JoAnn held many offices in the Women of the Church, including President. Later, she was elected Deacon. After the closing of Rehoboth, JoAnn found a new church home in Shallowford Presbyterian Church, where she became an active member.

JoAnn had many other interests including traveling, sewing, gardening, cooking, square dancing, hiking, camping, her many pets and the great outdoors. She helped start the Valley Garden Club in her neighborhood and remained an active member for over 50 years. She was a member of a senior hiking club while in her 60’s and 70’s.

JoAnn was predeceased by her parents, Ralph E. Jolley and Nora B. Tanner, her husband of 44 years, Charles Earl Brown of Atlanta, Georgia, and her brother, Charles Ralph Jolley of Grayson, Georgia. She is survived by her children, Barry Allen Brown, Sr. and his wife, Michelle Roberts Brown of Stone Mountain, Georgia; and her daughter Bonnie Lori Brown Nunn and her husband David Michael Nunn of Manchester, Vermont. She is survived by her 5 grandchildren, Barry Allen Brown, Jr. and his wife Lori Armistead Brown of Gainesville, Georgia; Charles Wesley Brown and his wife, Amanda Leigh Brown of Lilburn, Georgia; Christopher Michael Nunn of Boulder, Colorado, Nicholas Tyler Nunn and his partner Caroline Donovan of Lebanon, New Hampshire; and Chelsea Noel Nunn of Salt Lake City, Utah. She is also survived by her 2 great-grandchildren, Cooper Allen Brown and Layla Addison Brown of Gainesville, Georgia.

A celebration of JoAnn’s life will be held on Thursday, January 18th at 11:00 a.m. at Shallowford Presbyterian Church at 2375 Shallowford Presbyterian, Atlanta, Georgia 30345. There will be a private burial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shallowford Presbyterian Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.