Mary Jo Brown

Mary Jo Harvey Brown, 81, died Thursday, October 5, 2017, at her residence in Abilene, Texas. Born in Elton, Texas on March 29, 1936, Mary Jo was the daughter of Annie Belle (Lemons) and Lawton Bedford Harvey. She graduated from Dickens High School before attending Western Texas College where she maintained a 4.0 GPA and received an Associate Degree. She was a member of Psi Beta Kappa Honor Society. She married William Hale Brown on June 10, 1953 in Lovington, New Mexico. She was a United Postal employee for thirty-two years, twenty-four of which she served as postmaster at Dickens. She was a member of Elmcrest Baptist Church in Abilene. Mary Jo was well known among family and friends for her homemade breads and jellies, and she made over two hundred quilts in her lifetime, most of which she gave away. She was active in church as a Sunday school teacher and church pianist. She enjoyed sewing and gardening, but her true passion was studying God's word. Her trust in Jesus remained strong throughout her battle with cancer as she testified to her Lord's faithfulness. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Price James Harvey; and sister, Joyce Stroman. Mary Jo is survived by her husband, William Hale Brown of Abilene; son, Billy Joe Brown and wife Patricia of Trenton, Tennessee; daughter, Annell Harris and husband Dwayne of Abilene; five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, October 8, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene. Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Monday, October 9, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home chapel officiated by Billy Brown and Rev. Jerry Vincent. Burial will follow in Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Big Country, 6401 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605.