Janet Marie Brown
Janet Marie Brown, a woman of faith who overcame so much over her lifetime, died on Friday, February 16, 2024. Janet, 83, of Charlotte, was born on June 23, 1940, in Ferndale, MI. the daughter of Clyde and Bertha (Bass) Ford. In the 8th grade Janet met Larry Brown Jr. and on November 14, 1959, she married her childhood sweetheart. They moved from Royal Oak to Gladwin where they lived for 30-plus years, where she worked for 26 years as an Office Administrator for the Gladwin Community Schools. Following the death of her husband in 2007 Janet moved to Charlotte. Janet devoted her life to volunteering around her community. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Charlotte, where she was involved in Wrapped-in-Love-Quilters and they made quilts for the local pregnancy center and local senior living centers. The biggest joy in her life was her granddaughters. They referred to her as “Nama” and she loved to be in the front row at all of their events. The family loved spending their summers at the family condo in Suttons Bay. Hobbies that Janet enjoyed were sewing, quilting, baking her amazing apple pies, shopping, an occasional trip to the casino, and watching The Young and the Restless. Janet hoped that her job once she gets to heaven was something that involved working with children or animals. She was selfless and had a heart of gold.
Janet is survived by her daughter, Kelly Friar; granddaughters. Emily and Ashley Friar; sister-in-law, Rolland Ford; brother-in-law, Larry Sauers; and several nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Larry; son, Kirk Brown; sister, Linda Sauers; and brother, Keith Ford; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Janet’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Thursday, February 22, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Charlotte. A funeral was held on February 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church with Pastor Pete Kroll officiating. With an internment to take place at 3:30 p.m. at Highland Cemetery in Gladwin, MI. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Janet’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.