Helen Johnson Brown, age 86, of Wilmington and formerly of Burgaw passed peacefully from her earthly life to her eternal rest on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at Pacifica Senior Living in Wilmington where Helen was lovingly cared for.

Mrs. Brown was born May 17, 1924 in Bladen County and was the daughter of late George Clayton and Carrie V. Johnson of Elizabethtown. Also lovingly remembered are her devoted husband, Raeford Eugene "Gene" Brown and her son, Jeffery A. Brown, both who preceded Helen in death.

Upon graduating from Elizabethtown High School, she attended and graduated from East Carolina Teachers College, now East Carolina University with a degree in Elementary Education.

Mrs. Brown taught Elementary Education in the public schools of New Hanover, Bladen, and Pender Counties for 32 years and at one time was the principal of Rocky Point Elementary School.

As an active member of Burgaw Baptist Church, she served as the pianist, organist and choir director for many years. Helen also served as the secretary of the adult department of the Sunday school for many years.

As a community leader, Mrs. Brown was one of the first women to be accepted into the all male Burgaw Lion's Club where she served for many years and was honored by receiving the Lion of the Year Award for 1989-1990.

Mrs. Brown is survived by her daughter, Kimberly B. Farmer and husband, Tommy, of Hampstead; son, Dr. Raeford E. Brown, Jr. and wife, Cathy, of Lexington, KY; sisters, Dorcas Johnson and Christine Bryan and husband, Finley, both of Lumberton; grandsons, David Brown of Atlanta, GA and Michael Brown of Chevy Chase, MD; granddaughter, Olivia Brown of Lexington, KY; step-granddaughter, Michelle Farmer of Wilmington; step-grandson, David Farmer of Wilmington; sister-in-law, Margaret Carpenter of Rocky Mount and nieces, Jill Ward and Jo Webb both of Rocky Mount.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 11, 2011 at Burgaw Baptist Church with the Rev. Nathan Morton officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Park.

Casketbearers will be Kenny Barnhill, Danny Raynor, Charles Wells, David Brown, Michael Brown and Charles Bryan. Honorary bearers will be Dean Brown and Bill Core.

The family will receive friends 4 to 6:00 PM Sunday at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home in Burgaw.

Memorial gifts may be given to Burgaw Baptist Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 385, Burgaw NC 28425 or to Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation, 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401.

Condolences may be sent by selecting \\"Send Condolences\\" below.

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw.