Mrs. Joy Brown Sumner, age 81, died peacefully at her home, Saturday, December 14, 2013. A native of Bertie County, Mrs. Sumner was born March 22, 1932 to the late Minnie and Isaac Brown. She was a lifelong and devoted member of Mars Hill Baptist Church where she served as church secretary for many years and was a major part of the grounds committee. Mrs. Sumner married the love of her life and her best friend, Robert Sumner, and she loved spending time in the woods hunting with him and their dogs. They also shared a love of cars, attending many car shows together over the years. She loved spending time outdoors. She was known as the family caregiver and the glue that kept them together. Family and friends knew Mrs. Sumner as the person that would tell you things just like it was, the truth whether they liked to hear it or not.
Along with her parents and husband Mrs. Sumner was preceded in death by two sisters; Evelyn Leggett and Barbara Wiggins, and five brothers; Ralph, Eugene, Carroll, Marshall, and Edward Brown.
Mrs. Sumner is survived by her sister, Viola Outland and her husband Felton, Sr. of Sunbury, NC and numerous nieces and nephews.
My sympathy and prayers to all the family. I remember Joy so kindly in years pass when she refinished furniture for me and we had some long chats.
Some of my fondest memories are of “Jo” and Rob. In later years and many telephone conversations I’ll miss her terribly. I will see you in heaven, my friend.
I have been living close to and knowing Joy for 22 years and she has always been a very good friend.God has another Angel.She will be trully missed.
To the family and friends of Joy Brown:
Joy was true blue to the Mars Hill Church and community. She worked very hard for the Church to have stained glass windows and she was determined to lay “claim” to the Mars Hill School property and made sure that a marker was put there and then replaced. We always appreciated Joy and was delighted when she came to our Anniversary Celebration on Sept. 1st. We also remember her love of old things and cherish Lawrence’s high chair and his Mother’s trunk that she refinished.
Blessings to the family,
Lawrence Wood and Elaine