Donnie Belle Marks Brown passed away peacefully on July 2nd, 2024, amongst her loving family's care. Donnie Belle, as affectionately called by her late husband, was born on September 1st, 1947 to Cecil Winfield and Vergie Waller Marks.

On July 9th, 1967, she married Robert Lee Brown, Sr. (Bobby). In 1968, they welcomed a son, Robert (Robby) Lee Brown, Jr. and a few years later, a daughter, Christian Marks Brown Hope.

Donnie and Bobby enjoyed raising their family in Wilmington before settling down in Penderlea on family land that Donnie always hoped to return to one day. Donnie enjoyed raising her children and being a homemaker in their young years. Once her children went to school, she put her passions into opening a women's clothing store. Later in life, Donnie and Bobby owned and
operated the Penderlea Store, a grocery and grill that was a staple in the community (and a place that their grandchildren loved to visit). Along with being a mother, wife and business-owner, she was an active member of her community, serving on the Pender County School Board as well as the Board of Directors at Pender Memorial Hospital.

Donnie had a love for animals, always taking in pets in need at their home. Donnie and Bobby most recently had their beloved dog, Ginger, who has been their sidekick and companion in these last years.

Donnie was a loving mother, sister, aunt, friend and "Grandma," as her grandchildren affectionately called her. She would tell you that of all the hats she wore, being a mom to Robby and Christian and a wife to Bobby were her favorite.

She is survived by her son, Robert "Robby" Lee Brown, Jr. and wife Angela of Wilmington; daughter, Christian Brown Hope and husband Lawrence of
Wilmington; sisters, Judy Giles and husband Schuyler of Virginia and Peggie Rogers of Georgia; three grandchildren: Zelle Brown Wiggins and husband Stephen, Robert "Brody" Lee Brown, III and wife Logan, and Leah Belle Brown; one great-granddaughter, Virginia Parker; granddog, Mocha; and a host of many loving cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom she adored.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert Lee Brown, Sr.;  parents, Cecil and Vergie Marks; and sisters Dorothy Parker Marks and Virginia Marks Binford.

Visitation will be at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, July 3rd at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home in Wallace. A graveside funeral service will follow at Riverview
Memorial Park at 4:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Pender County Humane Society in memory of Donnie Brown.

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Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home of Wallace, North Carolina