Mildred Crosby Brown

Born in Round O, SC on June 22, 1930, just seven months after the Great Crash of 1929, Mildred was the fifth child of Ashley Fritz Crosby and Callie Mae Robertson Crosby.

In 1947, she married the love of her life, Cecil Brown of Bamberg, SC, and built her family, living most of her life on James Island. Married for fifty years, one of the happiest moments of her life was celebrating that milestone with Cecil and family members on a trip to Las Vegas, a cruise to Mexico, and a reception hosted by daughter Cathy in Santa Cruz, California.

At each of her four James Island homes over the span of her life, she transformed the surrounding landscape through her passion for gardening. She was known for taking cuttings along her daily travels and either rooting them or collecting seeds for her own garden. She took great pride in receiving the “Yard of the Month” accolade in Riverland Terrace, where stunning roses paved her fences and poppies dressed the drive.

An avid tennis player and tenacious on the court, she spent years playing with the women of James Island, even after having both hips and knees replaced. Not even this kept her down.

In the footsteps of her mother, Mildred’s faith was strong. She demonstrated this through her tireless efforts in church fundraising. While a member at Folly Beach Baptist Church in the 1970’s, she led an effort to sell bonds to expand the footprint of the church and its services to the community.

She was a founding member and vital part of Calvary Baptist church, founded by her nephew, Reverend Jerry Crosby. She nurtured the lives of so many children through her Sunday School class teachings, and used her fundraising talents for her favorite cause, the Lowcountry Crisis Pregnancy Center. She never took “No” for an answer.

Mildred loved the written word and was notorious for her dedication to sending birthday cards, always timed to be received on that special day and always with special words and verses underlined.

Mildred is survived by one son, Johnny Brown, of Barnwell, SC, a daughter, Cathy Banuelos (Bob) of Aptos, CA, daughter in law Trudy Locatelli (Butch) of Bonneau, SC, 17 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, as well as an abundance of nieces, nephews and extended family throughout the Lowcountry and afar. She was most happy surrounded by her family. Those who knew her always knew her last salutation was that she loved you.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband, four children; Henry Brown, Cecil Brown, Jr., Phil Brown, Doris Ann Brown, grandson Allen Schlumbrecht, and four siblings, Wendell Crosby, Steve Crosby Sr., Horace Crosby Sr., and Doris Crosby Snider, as well as three stepsiblings; Gene Richberg, Vivian Wetsell, and Juanita Wetsell.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Visitation, Service, and Burial on Wednesday, February 14, at Carolina Funeral Home and Gardens, 7113 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston. Visitation will commence at Noon, followed by the Service at 1pm, Burial on site.

Mildred’s favorite color was red and in celebrating her life and her burial on Valentine’s Day, guests are encouraged to wear something red in her remembrance.

Memorials may be sent to the Grace Point Church, 942 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412, or the charity of one’s choice.

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting dignitymemorial.com.