Margaret Ann Barus Brown, 84, of Valdese, went home to be with her Heavenly Father, after a period of declining health, at Burke Hospice House in Valdese, on Monday, October 28, 2024.
Margaret was born May 24, 1940, in Valdese, a daughter of the late Raymond Paul Barus and Aileen Lowman Barus.
Margaret was proud of her Waldensian heritage, being the second generation born in the United States with her father being the first. A woman of faith who dedicated her life to serving others in her community. In the 1970’s she fought as a special education advocate at the local, state and
national level to see that all American children receive a free and appropriate public education regardless of disability status. In 1975, the United States Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, referred to as the IDEA. Margaret was a talented baker and shared this talent as an instructor at Western Piedmont Community College in the 1980’s. Along with her husband, John, they were dedicated volunteers with J. Iverson Riddle Institute where their
service was recognized in 1982 as Volunteers of the Year. She worked forty years with Drexel Heritage Furniture providing customer service to the U.S. State Department that provided housing for U.S. Diplomats and appointed U.S. Government officials around the world. She adored her family and would do anything, within her power, to help those in need.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, John Edward, a daughter, Pamela Ann, brothers, Danny & Ronnie Barus, and a grandson, Jordan Brown. Those left to cherish her memory are sisters, Bobbie McEntire, of Valdese and Linda Wilson, of Morganton, along with two sisters-in-law, Carolyn, and Ann Barus, both of Valdese. Also surviving are her son, Johnny Edward Brown Jr. of Valdese; a daughter, Dr. Wendy Brown
Dellinger and husband, Timothy, of Vale; grandson, William Brown, of Morganton; granddaughter, Megan Dellinger Beeson, and husband Ryan, of Vale and Jairus Brown, of Valdese; three great-grandchildren, Levi Gray Beeson of Vale, Jordan Brown Jr. and Alena Brown, both of Connelly Springs; along with many extended family members and friends.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 1:00-2:30 P.M. at Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese. A Celebration of Life for Margaret Ann Barus Brown will follow beginning at 3:00 P.M. in the Heritage Chapel. Her earthly body will then be laid to rest beside her beloved husband and daughter, in Hillcrest Cemetery, in Valdese.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Burke & Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care for excellent care provided to Margaret in her final months.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Waldensian Heritage Foundation, (memo line – Margaret
Barus Brown) P.O. Box 111, Valdese, North Carolina 28690. House in Valdese.
Margaret was such a lovely, talented person! My parents, Herman and Ruth Crump, were so thankful for her friendship. Margaret was an excellent baker and shared her baked goods with friends. Also, she was a wonderful volunteer at J. Iverson Riddle and a committed volunteer to persons with disabilities. More importantly, Margaret was a devoted Christian who loved God, her family, and community!
Another cousin gone too soon. Margaret Ann was a loving spirit to all that had the privilege of knowing her. She will be missed by family and friends. My heart breaks for each of you during this time. I will be there with you today in spirit, since dizziness will prevent me from driving today. Prayers and hugs to all the family.