Joan Payne Constantineau Brown

Joan Payne Constantineau Brown passed away on Friday, January 8, 2021, at Elbert Memorial Hospital after complications of COVID-19.

She was born on May 4, 1931 in Asheville, North Carolina. Her parents were Martin Francis Constantineau “Mr. Connie” of Lowell Massachusetts and Jenelle “Jennie” Elizabeth Payne of Elberton, Georgia. Though she lived many places as a child, including Chicago, Boston, and Jacksonville, Elberton, Georgia is where she called home. It is where she spent many summers with her grandparents, Sarah Boozer and Howard Payne. With the exception of two years in Seneca, South Carolina in the early years of her marriage, once she moved to Elberton, she lived there the rest of her life.

Joan and her mother moved from Jacksonville, Florida, to Elberton when she was 15. There she fell in love with Donald McCarty Brown. After attending one year at Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Georgia, the high school sweethearts were married on June 10, 1950.

Besides raising her four children, she worked for State Farm Insurance Agent, Edsel Pleasants, from 1963-1966. In 1966, she became the secretary at Elbert County High School until 1977. All the students and teachers that passed through that school adored her, and continued to sing her praises long after she quit working there. Hardly a day would go by that a former student or teacher would hail her in passing, “Hey, Mrs. Brown! It’s so good to see you.”

Two years after her husband of 26 years, Donald Brown, passed away in 1976, Joan began working at the Elbert County Department of Children Services. For sixteen years, she was a caseworker there, retiring in 1993. She was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Elberton and an active member of Presbyterian Women.

Her favorite memories included spending time with family, laughing, vacations at Pawleys Island, South Carolina, traveling on a First Presbyterian Church mission trip to Piedras Negras, Mexico, volunteering for the Olympics in 1996, cruising to Alaska on a small exploration ship, and attending the inaugural ceremony of former President Bill Clinton. She enjoyed serving her church, reading, keeping grandchildren, floral design, cooking, watching birds, and planning parties.

It was her faith in God that guided and strengthened her to face life’s hardships, and be ever grateful for the goodness of this life. Her husband, Donald McCarty Brown, and her son, David Martin Brown, preceded Joan in death. She leaves behind 3 children: son, Donald McCarty Brown, Jr. (Jane) of North Carolina; daughter Constance Brown Worley (Frank) of Saint Simons Island, Georgia; and daughter Jenelle Louise Brown McConnell (Jackson) of Elberton. She also leaves a daughter-in-law, Pamela Albertson Brown of Elberton, 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Joan Brown’s legacy for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren is to face life’s challenges with faith in God, grace, dignity, and love. One of her favorite quotes came from Rose Kennedy, “Early in life, I decided that I would not be overcome by events. My philosophy has been that regardless of the circumstances, I shall not be vanquished, but will try to be happy. Life is not easy for any of us. But it is a continual challenge, and it is up to us to be cheerful – and to be strong, so that those who depend upon us may draw strength from our example.”

Those wishing to pay their respects to Mrs. Brown may do so on Monday, January 11, from 12:00-5:00p.m. and on Tuesday, January 12, from 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m. at Berry Funeral Home. There will be a private family graveside service at Elmhurst Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Atlanta Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association at 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 550, Atlanta, Georgia 30346; the Elbert County Library, 345 Heard Street, Elberton, Georgia 30635; or to the charity of your choice.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at www.berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Joan Payne Constantineau Brown.