Margaret Brown

When reflecting on the life of Margaret Brown, it is easy to see her dedication to others whether in her home or in the community around her. She was strong, energetic and not afraid of work from the time she was a young girl on her family farm. Blessed to share most of her life with her high school sweetheart, Margaret was filled with unspeakable joy to witness her family grow to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren she adored. Her door was always open and her heart was filled with compassion for all who were near. Life will never be the same without Margaret here but she leaves behind a timeless legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on in her footsteps.

It was great to be an American during the decade that we commonly recall as the Roaring Twenties. With innovation leading the way to conveniences like washing machines and refrigerators, prosperity was largely felt nationwide. There was also much to celebrate in the lives of Lawrence and Dorothy (Lewis) Spencer as they announced the birth of their twin girls, Margaret Louise and Mildred Lois, on July 27, 1925, at the family’s dairy farm in Porter Township, Michigan. Sadly, Margaret’s sister died as an infant. Margaret was so small as an infant that she slept in a shoe box. It has also been said that her foot was smaller than her father’s thumb! The oldest of three, Margaret was later joined in her family by her siblings, Rosalyn and Lewis.

Raised on the family dairy farm, Margaret was a young content girl of her generation. She always enjoyed being outside and she did her fair share of farm chores. Margaret loved to tell of the time she fearlessly rode a pony to get the cows from the pasture. She learned the value of hard work at a young age and this strong work ethic followed her for the rest of her life. Hard work was also something that Margaret instilled in her children. Although her mother taught music and piano, she much preferred to be outside riding her pony or climbing a tree. Margaret attended Lawton Schools, beginning in a one-room schoolhouse before moving to the big school in the seventh grade. In addition to holding down her studies, she worked quite a bit on the farm, which left her with little time for extra school activities. Margaret went on to graduate from high school in 1943, which consisted of twenty two boys and only five girls.

It was while in school that Margaret met the man of her dreams. His name was Gordon V. Brown who was a fellow classmate. Gordon joined the Navy right out of high school, while he was serving, Margaret faithfully wrote him letters. The couple fell deeply in love and married on June 26, 1948, at the First Baptist Church of Lawton. The newlyweds bought a dilapidated grape farm in Lawton with help from his parents and a small loan from the FHA. With hard work, Gordon and Margaret were able to quickly turn a profit and eventually build a new house on the farm where Margaret would enjoy the beauty of the land for nearly sixty years.

There was never anything of greater importance to Margaret than her family. Together she and Gordon welcomed three children, Mardelle, Keith and Dean, into their hearts and home. Margaret was very easy going with her children and they will tell you that Gordon was the disciplinarian. Margaret was there to support Gordon on the farm, as she loved to roll up her sleeves and get to work. It has been said that she was the best tractor driver in Lawton and Margaret loved to joke that she was better at driving the tractor than she was in the kitchen. As her family and friends can attest, she did make an amazing cherry pie. Margaret's door was always open with the coffee pot on and ready for anyone who stopped by. It was a daily tradition that her family and friends came over for hot coffee, sweet rolls and warm hospitality. Gordon often joked that their place should be called Brown’s Bed and Breakfast! This open door policy also extended to the family cottage on Bankson Lake where priceless family memories were made over the years. The coffee tradition continued until the week that Margaret went to be with the Lord. She treasured her grandchildren and later her great-grandchildren as well.

A true servant at heart, Margaret was continually serving others in her community. She was a Girl Scout leader and was also very proud of her work with the local blood drives from 1960 until the time of her departing. She made countless egg salad sandwiches through the years. Margaret’s faith was a cornerstone in her life and she was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Lawton. There, she was a Sunday school teacher for years. In everything she did Margaret always preferred to be behind the scenes; never in the spotlight. She did not need any recognition for helping; she just loved blessing others in any way she could. Margaret was a bit of a local historian as she kept several scrapbooks of their community at the museum where she also made many donations. Even after Gordon’s death, she continued serving others and loving the people in her family and her community. Margaret leaned on her faith and also spent a lot of time with her great circle of friends. She was a member of the Model A Club and also Decatur V.F.W. Auxiliary 6248.

All who knew Margaret Brown would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was a selfless servant with a heart that was as big as they come. Margaret treasured her family and the best days in Margaret’s eyes were days spent surrounded by her family and friends. A woman of faith, she exemplified what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord. Margaret made a significant impact in the lives of so many and will be deeply missed.

Margaret Louise Brown was called home to her Lord on February 14, 2019. Margaret’s family includes her daughter, Mardelle Carter of Jeffersonville, Indiana; son, Keith (Marilyn) Brown of Lawton; daughter-in-law, Cheri Brown of Kalamazoo; former daughter-in-law, Margie Brown of Lawton; ten grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; brother L. Lewis Spencer of Lawton and many nieces and nephews. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon V. Brown; twin sister Mildred Lois who died as an infant; sister, Rosalyn Harris and son Dean Brown. Family will receive friends from 4:00 - 7:00 on Monday, February 18, 2019, at the Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Home, 60900 M-40 Hwy; Paw Paw (269) 657-3870 where services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. Burial of her cremated remains will be in the Chamberlain Cemetery. Please visit Margaret’s personal web page at www.BetzlerFuneralHome.com where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to RBM Ministries or First Baptist Church of Lawton.