Ms. Mary M. Madick Brown

Mary M. Brown, 88, died peacefully at her home on Sunday September 11, 2011. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Madison, Mississippi from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a recesitation of the rosary beginning at 7p.m. Visitation will also be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church immediately preceding a funeral mass that will be held at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Parkway Memorial Cemetery in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

Mrs. Brown was born January 14, 1923 in Kansas City Missouri to Emma and William Madick. She was the middle child of three siblings, a brother Edward J. Madick, and a sister, Ethel Madick Westin, who preceded her in death. She married Kenneth A. Brown on November 22, 1941 in Chicago, Illinois. After World War II, they settled in Chicago, IL where she worked and began to raise her family. She followed her husband throughout his business career with Pepsi Cola and in 1966 they forged their life savings and purchased the Pepsi Cola franchise in Madison, Wisconsin where she held various positions with the company.

In 1970, they moved their family to Jackson, Mississippi for a new business venture and in 1971, purchased the rights to bottle and distribute Pepsi Cola, Dr Pepper and Seven Up in Jackson, Meridian, and Hattiesburg, Mississippi. From these humble beginnings, the couple worked hard to grow the company with Mary working in various capacities within the company that now forty years later spans central Mississippi and portions of Alabama and Louisiana.

In her later life, she became an avid golfer, bridge player and volunteer for the Catholic Church. She was inspirational in the creation of the Dr Pepper Junior Golf Program and also served as president of the Jackson Women’s Golfers Association. Mary played and won many tournaments throughout her stellar amateur career. At the age of 76, she became the Jackson Country Club’s Woman’s Club Champion. She was one of the Founders of the Bishop’s Cup Golf Tournament that raises money for Catholic Charities in Mississippi. She served on the Bishop’s Cup organizational committee for many years and was recognized by Catholic Charities in 2010 for her years of outstanding service.

She served on the Parish Board of Holy Family Catholic Church, the Catholic Foundation Board, and in various volunteer positions at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. She will be remembered for her unselfish service to others in their time of need. She was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and was very proud of her membership in this group.

Her greatest passion in life was her family to whom she was extremely devoted.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Kenneth A. Brown, and is survived by her children, Nancy Oster (Edwin), Marge Brown, and Bill Brown (Alison), seven grandchildren, Susan Goodin (Michael), Paul Oster, Denise Oster Herbert, Kurt Mache (Cary), Kim Tazbier (Michael), Shelley Brown, Allyn Brown and twelve great grandchildren and one nephew.

The family wishes to express its thanks and gratitude to the City of Madison Police, Fire and Rescue Departments for their assistance.

The family requests that donations be in lieu of flowers made to the Mary Brown Trust, Catholic Foundation, P. O. Box 2248, Jackson, Mississippi 39225. Please feel free to sign an on-line guest book at www.wrightferguson.com. Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home Highland Colony Parkway is in charge of the arrangements.