B. Marie Brown
B. Marie Brown, daughter of the late Hugh and Ruby Spivey of Louisburg, North Carolina, was born on July 25, 1943 in Louisburg, North Carolina. She was the middle child of three girls. After graduating high school she moved to Washington D.C. with relatives for a short period of time, before moving to Boston, Massachusetts to seek better employment opportunities. She was hired by The Polaroid Corporation and took advantage of job related courses and worked herself up the ladder to become a Senior Administrator. A position she held for approximately 35 years before retiring in 2001. Marie also had a passion for cosmetology and had a very selective clientele that she served in the evenings and on the weekends. Over the years she also volunteered and worked at the Milton General and Local Election polls, was the founder of the Milton Parent Teacher Student Friends Organization at Milton High School, active participant of the Milton Neighborhood Association, Milton Library Committee, Milton Neighborhood Watch and Milton Booster Club. During her early years in Boston she met the love of her life, Gene Brown and they married in 1968. They have one daughter, Gena Brown. Prior to and after retirement Marie became an avid walker of the neighborhood with her beloved dog Caramel. If she was not with Caramel, she was riding her bicycle to see what needed to be done to improve the neighborhood. She was affectionately known as the Mayor of the Milton. As an active voice of the neighborhood she was always a familiar face at Milton Town Hall expressing the changes needed to Milton: from freshly paved streets to assisting in the pathway for Concord Baptist Church of Boston to come her beloved town of Milton. Marie was always known for greeting and welcoming new and old neighbors to Milton and letting them know she was always a phone call away. Marie was a long time member of Phelps Chapel Baptist Church in Louisburg, North Carolina; before joining Concord Baptist Church of Boston. After a long battle with Cancer, Marie was cared for by an in-home hospice with the love and support of family and friends. Marie was preceded in death by her older sister Helen Brodie of Fayetteville, North Carolina. She leaves to mourn her beloved husband Gene, daughter Gena and a younger sister Darlene Alston of Louisburg, North Carolina. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, New York and Washington D.C. During her battle with cancer Willie Johnson (Flo) and Ruth Carrington saw that Marie made every appointment and took her medications on time and reminded Marie of her refills as needed. They were able to assist Gena and I in caring for Marie for many years. A Funeral Service will be held in the Concord Baptist 180 Blue Hill Ave., MILTON, Thursday at 12 PM. Relatives and friends invited. A visitation will be at 11:30 – 12. Donations in Marie’s name may be made to the Dana Farber.
Guestbook Entries
Auntie, you will never be forgotten and always in my heart. You have always taught me things that I carry along to my kids. Your in a peaceful place.
I had the opportunity of knowing Marie Spivey Brown for over 50 years. Always smiling, energetic, smart, independent, and willing to go the extra mile to get the job done. She believed in excellence. She has gone into the light and her soul is with God. To Gene, Gena, family and friends, do not grieve too long for Marie is in a better place. All is well with her soul.Marie, you will never be forgotten.
Gene and Gena, much sadness filled my heart when you told me about Marie’s passing. Times like this are always difficult but if you let Him, God will walk you hand in hand. He and the memories you carry in your heart will sustain you through the darkest times. May God’s grace and comfort be with you and the family.
Marie, God bless you for all the joy, love, and happiness that you gave to everybody. You were always one of the most positive and energetic woman. I was blessed to have met you and worked with you on committees when our daughters were in high school. Now God has another angel in heaven. Rest in peace.
Dear Gene and Gena, so sorry to hear the news; we are keeping you in our prayers. We miss her very much.
I will miss Marie’s smile and energy. She was a mentor to me in adulthood as I watched the way she lived her life. I pray God’s peace for her spirit and solace to Gene, Gena, and family and friends who loved her.
Oh, Marie ,
It is so difficult to imagine Amor Road, and The Town of Milton
without Your presence.
I will always remember You petaling Your bike up Blue
Hill Terrace, overly indulging Caramel, laughing together, always standing up for what You believed to be right, fair and just.
You have been a strong role model and mentor to so many thoroughout Your life .
Your characteristics of being so highly disciplined , ambitious, confident , tenacious, vigilant , and persistent will always serve as examples to others .
I will always remember the abiding loyalty, appreciation and Love that You carried for Gene ,
Your generous sharing of Your time, effort, finances,and skills
to improve, change and build opportunities for others.
Your practical, direct, helpful , and often necessary advice was so valued .
Your encompassing, enduring, unabashed devotion and Love
for Your Most Cherished Treasure and Most Wonderful Legacy has always been and continues to be Your Greatest Joy , Your Beautiful
Gena Marie .
Blessings extended to Marie, Gena, Gene , all family, friends and beneficiaries .
So Much Love From
Christa Marie- Irene, Arturo and Vida Selame Irene
Solomon Getachew Anthony
Maria Tegest Dorothy Geogis , Mark Andrew and
Liam Getachew Tibit
And ( Dot ) Dorothy Margaret Mary
Gene Gene family and friendsMy prayers and are with you doing this difficult time in your life.Marie was my wife’s sister. She loved her dearly. And would be thewould be there with you if she could.But God is there and will keep you in perfect peace..God bless you and keep you,and cause his face to shine upon you,and give you peace.
Steve said it well that she taught us things that we will never forget. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. She will truly be missed.
Aunt Marie
Words are hard to find for the relationship that I had with you. Through the years you had always been my biggest cheerleader. Your guidance and wisdom along with my parents provided me with the tools to endure. Your pillar of strength and success was a role model for me. Times when my sister and I stayed with you and Gene in the summer will always bring fond memories. I respected and loved you always. My siblings and I will always miss you, Aunt Marie. Although in the later years we did not see you often, your presence could be felt. I pray that you are in a peaceful place with God’s mercy. No more suffering. I pray for Gene and Gena comfort and peace in this time of sadness.
You will always be missed.
Your oldest niece Annette
Sending my love and condolences.
I hadn’t seen Marie in over 40 years but recognized her immediately by her smile when I saw her photo in the paper.
I met her when I was the only woman apprentice air conditioning mechanic in Polaroid’s Cambridge building trades department. Marie was the incredibly competant and personable department secretary. One of the things I remember, is her describing to me some odd “green bean” diet she was trying at the time. We had a lot of laughs over that.
Mostly I remember her showing me photos of Gene and of Gena as a small child, and in fact meeting Gena once when Marie brought her to work. She was very proud of her husband and daughter.
Each morning when I walked into the building trades department and Marie turned and smiled, it was as if the sun had just come out.
You have my sympathy for the loss of such a wonderful person.
In Sympathy. May the memories you hold in your heart bring healing and peace to the family. John & Roberta R. Purcell, Knightdale, NC