Obituary of Edna Brown

Mrs. Edna Darden Brown died on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at Heritage Inn of Barnesville, Georgia. Mrs. Brown was born on April 10, 1919, in the Darden family home located at 100 Liberty Hill Street, Milner, Georgia. She was the fourth of five children born to Mrs. Zodie Mae Tingle Darden and Mr. John Jacob Darden of Monroe County, Georgia, a Milner merchant, and a former Mayor of Milner. Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. James Phillip Brown: parents; her sisters, Mrs. Minnie Browning Darden Dunn and Mrs. Louise (Ruth) Darden Cain; her brother, Mr. William Harris Darden; her nephew, Mr. John Jay Darden; and her nieces, Miss Sandra Ruth Cain and Mrs. Diane Darden Majer. "Miss Edna", as she was lovingly called by all her many friends, made her public profession of faith at The Milner Baptist Church in the summer of 1932 at the age of 13. This moment would profoundly affect her life for the next 76 years. Mrs. Brown was educated in the Milner School System, and she was graduated from Milner High School in 1936. The following fall, she attended North Georgia A. & M. in Dahlonega, Georgia, beginning her studies in English. Throughout her entire life she never lost her love of writing as evidenced by beautiful, expressive letters sent to family and friends. Married to James Phillip Brown in1938, Mrs. Brown began her role as homemaker at 102 Liberty Hill Street, Milner, Georgia, on family property adjoining the Darden family home where she had been born. She lived in this historic Civil War home until her death. As a gifted pianist, Mrs. Brown spent her entire life, beginning as a very young lady, playing for many churches in Lamar County. Most recently she played for The Milner United Methodist Church and Bethel Baptist Church. Mrs. Brown worked for the Lamar County Court System for many years, serving as the first woman bailiff in Lamar County during the tenure of Sheriff J. C. Waller. She was an avid family genealogist, spending approximately 40 years in the research of Darden, Brown, and allied family lines. She was the third oldest member of The Milner Baptist Church where she had been so faithful throughout the years. She was a member of the Key Sunday School Class, was quite active in Vacation Bible School, and enjoyed taking church trips with the Senior Adult Group. In addition, Mrs. Brown was a member of The Lamar County Young at Heart, serving as pianist for the group; former member of the Barnesville Square Dance Group; and a former member of the Milner City Council. She was also a member of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, being honored in 2007 for her lifetime contributions to the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes. Mrs. Brown is survived by one brother, Mr. John Thomas Darden, of High Falls, Georgia, numerous nieces and nephews and their families, and a special family friend, Mr. Larry Smith of Milner, Georgia. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 7 at The Milner Baptist Church with The Reverend Ben Taylor officiating. The family will meet friends at the church from 9:30 a.m.until service time. The family may be contacted at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Dunn, Milner, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the following: The Milner Baptist Church, 107 Pecan Drive, Milner, Georgia 30257; Lamar County Humane Society, P.O. Box 100, Barnesville, Georgia 30204; or Stepping Stones Educational Therapy Center, 141 Futral Road, Griffin, Georgia 30224