Burlington

Etta Ruth Burke Brown, better known to many as just good old Etta Burke, 79 of Burlington passed away Thursday November 2, 2017 at ARMC. 

Etta was born in Gibsonville on July 15, 1938 to the late Edward Mendenhall Burke and Elise Story Burke. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, sister in law and wonderful grandmother. A devoted Christian woman who attended Gibsonville United Methodist Church and loved to teach Sunday School to the Whorton Sunday School Class. She was involved with any type of teaching, prayer shawl ministry as well as many church boards over the years.  Etta was a school teacher in Mt Airy, Monticello and Gibsonville High School where she was also a 1956 graduate. She received her BA degree from UNC Greensboro and she worked in retail and wholesale until her retirement in 1998.  Etta loved crocheting, gardening, the art and literature club, BPW, Gardening Club, traveling and reading. Etta had so much love to give to her family and was a great listener and problem solver. She was also a woman of deep respect for everyone. When the word love was defined, it was a word that described Etta Brown. You knew she loved you by her actions and that sweet wonderful smile. You will be missed in so many ways and, yet the Lord has a precious child in His presence now. Thank you for having us and for being that special person in our lives until we meet again in Heaven.  In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Jim Brown and in laws Sam and Lou Brown.

Surviving are her son James Edward “Eddie” Brown; daughters Etta Mendenhall “Mendi” Brown and Elsie Brown Kennedy and husband Ben; grandchildren Claire Kennedy and Samantha Kennedy; step grandson Dillon Brightwell; sisters, Abbie Burke Martin and husband Jim and Elsie Blair “Tootie” Burke; her dog Herman and baby cats.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3 PM on Monday at First United Methodist Church of Gibsonville. The family will receive friends from 1:30 till the time of the service at the church. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to Gibsonville United Methodist Church PO Box 82 Gibsonville NC 27249. Sign an online register book at www.omegafsc.com. Arrangements are in the care of Omega Funeral Service & Crematory. 

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