Dorothy Dezern Brown

WILMINGTON — Dorothy Mae Dezern Brown, 84, passed away on July 27, 2013 at The Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center in Wilmington, North Carolina. Dorothy was born on September 29, 1928 in Durham, North Carolina to Preston Ivan Dezern and Viola Ladd Dezern, the youngest of five children. The name “Dorothy” means “God’s Gift.” She was.

As a child, Dorothy lived in a mill house. One of her earliest memories was of crossing an angry picket line with her electrician father’s lunch and dinner. Even as a small child, Dorothy had courage.

At 14, Dorothy’s father died. She and her mother had to survive on their own. Viola did not have an education, but was a savvy businesswoman. Dorothy watched and learned. She was a keen pupil.

Dorothy needed to make money, but desperately wanted to stay in school. She lied about her age and landed a ward secretarial position at Duke Hospital. Dorothy never backed away from a challenge. She was driven.

Every day, Dorothy got up early to do her schoolwork, went to school and then took the bus to work. She took every afternoon and weekend shift to make ends meet. Dorothy was a hard worker.

Her big splurges were movies and trips to the library. A great film, impressionist art, opera, poetry and novels were life-long loves. She passed these on to all she knew. Dorothy was a voracious reader and had an extensive vocabulary. Dorothy was whip smart.

Despite hardships, Dorothy graduated in the top of her class from Durham High School in 1946. The quote under her senior photo said “Flirtatious Eyes.” Dorothy was a looker.

That night Dorothy met her future husband, Duane Whitfield Brown, on a blind date. They were married on April 4, 1947 in a small ceremony and enjoyed 55 years of marriage. Duane was steady. Dorothy was a whirl of activity. They had four children. Dorothy said she these years were the best years of her life. She did not need big things, because Dorothy found joy in the small moments.

Throughout her life, Dorothy was ready to go at a moment’s notice. She was always game for an adventure.  A joke or a funny story would send Dorothy into peels of laughter. Her favorites involved mischievous stories of her kids. Dorothy adored a good laugh.

Dorothy had her own dreams. She earned a degree from Durham Technical Institute and a Bachelor of Business Administration from North Carolina Central University, receiving the Award of Merit for Outstanding Achievement. She became an instructor at Rutledge College in Durham, where she was Teacher of the Year in 1986. In May 1987, Dorothy earned her Master of Science from North Carolina Central University. Dorothy was modern woman and a life-long learner.

In 1991, Dorothy and Due retired to Wilmington. They enjoyed walks, watching movies and time with family. Dorothy liked shopping in antique and consignment shops. Dorothy always scored a deal.

As Duane’s health declined, Dorothy studied everything about his condition and kept the love of her life going. Dorothy was someone you wanted on your side. She was a fierce protector.

After Duane’s death in 2002, Dorothy did the things she most enjoyed. Movies and music programs were favorites. Family time was cherished. Dorothy was a survivor.

Dorothy died the way she lived – on her terms. Whenever one of her loved ones wears a snappy outfit, laughs until crying, uses a big word, feels fierce, hears a beautiful hymn or opera, learns something exciting, finds a good deal, works especially hard, goes on an adventure or enjoys a simple moment with someone special, she will be remembered. These were her gifts.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Nancy Brown Jones, and husband, George; Ellen Brown Lewis and husband, Gary; and Stephen Whitfield Brown and wife, Shannon. She is predeceased by her son, Duane Craig Brown; her husband, Duane Whitfield Brown; her sisters, Louise Dezern Ferguson and Marie Dezern Russell; and brothers, Preston Ivan Dezern Jr. and William Melvin Dezern.

Dorothy is also survived by her grandchildren, Nancy Carol Inguanzo and her husband, Xavier; Vincent M. Jones, Hannah Lewis, Benjamin Brown, William Lewis, Rachel Brown, and Elanor Brown; and four great-grandchildren, Chase Jones, Roman Inguanzo, Merreck Jones and Xander Inguanzo. A graveside service will be held for family and friends at 3 p.m. this Thursday at Maplewood Cemetery in Durham, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice or the Watson College of Education at UNC Wilmington.