Constance Brown

Connie Brown, 71, of Charlotte, NC passed away on March 11, 2012, at home after an extended illness through which she demonstrated extraordinary strength, stoicism, humor and determination, inspiring the numerous friends, family and medics surrounding her. Born on April 8, 1940, to Eldbridge Hugh Nock and Avalon Bunting Nock of Pocomoke City, Maryland, she was always proud of her Eastern Shore heritage where she, her brother Claude and sister Amy were all raised.

Venturing west, she received her B.A. from Texas Woman’s University in 1962, as well as a national grant from the Language Institute of the University of New Mexico to study in Ecuador.

Connie returned to her native Maryland to teach Spanish in Anne Arundel for several years, before heading to Chapel Hill to work as a graduate teaching assistant in the Spanish Department at UNC, where she earned her M.A. in 1968.

That same year she met and married her personal and professional soul mate, Edward Morrison Brown. Their 44 year marriage was a rare amalgam of energy, talent, love, laughter, repartee and productivity. After teaching for several years in Charlotte at Carmel Academy and UNCC, Connie devoted her time primarily to the raising of her and Morrison’s cherished son, Chesser, and to working in partnership with Morrison in their design firm, Brown’s Interiors. Both of the Browns were professional members of ASID.

Connie was also a tireless contributive volunteer in the Charlotte community through her years of delivering Friendship Trays, her participation in the Mint Auxiliary, the Mint Collectors Circle, and as a board member of Myers Park Homeowners Association. Connie’s deep spirituality and love of language, literature and culture, led her to read, study and travel widely. A key member of the late Reverend Lou Patrick’s study group, she savored exploration of philosophical concerns, beliefs, mysteries, words and wonders. Carpe Libre Book Club fed this appetite further.

Her zest for life, affection for all creatures, her fine mind, huge heart, generous spirit, inimitable style and wit, were gifts to her family and the various communities in which she lived, worked and served. She had an exceptional talent for friendship and will be keenly missed by family, friends, and fans spanning many years and miles.

Connie is survived by her devoted and beloved husband Morrison, her sister Amy and her niece Lisa; a wide array of admiring design colleagues and clients, the sisterhood of her Lunch Bunch, the fellowship of her Zio’s Friday Nighters, her pals from the East Coast to Texas, the Granville menagerie, and many others who will likewise remember and always feel blessed by her courage, kindness, whimsy, joy and love.

A celebration of her life will be held at 11 o’clock on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at Harry & Bryant Company of Charlotte. The family will greet friends immediately following the service at the funeral home. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that a contribution be made to the Chesser M. Brown Scholarship Fund at Dore Academy, 1727 Providence Rd., Charlotte, NC 28207, or to a charity of choice.