Joan Morris Brown

Mrs. Joan M. Brown, 86, of Morrisville, NC peacefully passed away with her loving husband and daughter by her side as she was ushered into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Joan was born on November 3, 1935 in Durham, NC to the late Joseph and Lottie Morris.

Joan is a lifelong resident of Durham, graduating from Bethesda High School in 1954, then graduating from Croft Business College. Following graduation, she began working for Central Carolina Bank. She worked 25 years in Durham and 5 years in Raleigh until her retirement. Joan was a member of Bethesda Baptist Church. She loved the fun times spent with the Prime Time group and attending Sunday School Class.

Joan’s connection to nature was a lifelong passion that was imprinted on her from childhood. Some of her happiest memories were the times she spent with her grandfather in his garden. She loved the beach, tending her flowers, feeding the birds and anticipating her next encounter with nature in its various forms. Joan was a special woman who loved her family unconditionally. She touched many lives whether it was someone she knew or a stranger, she had a genuine love for people making sure to tell them they were important, loved and appreciated. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, friend and stranger and will be missed by the many lives she was blessed to have touched.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Lottie Morris, and sister, Patsy Pittman.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Carl; daughter, Teresa Kesselman (Scott); sisters, Bev Hill (Everett), Julia Winn (Leon); brother, Billy Morris and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.

Her family would like to acknowledge her caregivers at Comfort Keepers. Phyllis and Peggy who lovingly tended to Joan in her last few months of her life as well as the staff at REX Hospital who compassionately attended to Joan in the last 24 hours of her life.

A visitation will be held 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Bethesda Baptist Church.  A funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. Officiating will be Rev. Jonathan Barbee. Burial will follow at Brier Creek Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joan’s name to the Renovation Fund at Bethesda Baptist Church, 1914 S. Miami Blvd., Durham, NC 27703 or The Food Bank of Central and Eastern Carolina, 1924 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27604.

The family asks in memory of Joan’s loving spirit and to make the world a better place, take a moment this week to acknowledge a stranger, let them know they are loved and put a smile on someone’s face.