Jane Watson Brown

Jane Watson Brown, 87, of Rose Hill died August 12, 2026, in Raleigh.

Jane was born in Lowland in Pamlico County on March 28, 1939. She was very proud of her life on “the island” and loved to say her family had the first TV on the island. She graduated from Pamlico County High School and Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College).

Jane is survived by her children Davis Lee Jr. (Colleen) of Union Grove, Alabama, Wendy Lee of Raleigh, and Melinda Hughes (Rod) of Cary, her granddaughter Elizabeth Hughes of Winston Salem, and her stepchildren Ron Brown and Belinda Brown of Wilmington. Also surviving her are her siblings Merritt Watson (Linda), Anne Watson (Steve), and Gladys Hopkins (Dale), and many nieces and nephews and their children. She is also survived by numerous grandpets.

She was predeceased by her husband Homer Brown, her parents Merritt and Mary Jane Watson, and her beloved brother Ronnie Watson.

If you knew Jane, you knew that she did not suffer fools (sorry to the fools). She was a NC State Wolfpack fan, and she and Homer were present at both the 1974 and 1983 National Championships won by the Wolfpack. They followed the Pack everywhere until Homer’s health declined. Jane still attended home games and the ACC Tournament for many years after his death. She tolerated Duke but despised UNC.

She and Homer enjoyed traveling around the US and Canada in their motor home, often meeting other RV friends and traveling together. They also traveled to Europe (not by RV), seeing the sites and revisiting Homer’s wartime locations. She still drove the motor home after his death and was very sad to see it go.

Another point of pride for Jane was her fingernails. She kept them long and beautiful until the end of her life. In her career as an English teacher, she used her nails as a “teaching tool” for her students when they misbehaved. Her children suffered through many stories of her discipline, and some said they had scars- doubtful but possible.

Jane loved to state her opinions on ALL matters. Her medical knowledge was abundant and readily shared with her family. She was a lifelong Republican and was involved in the establishment of the party in Duplin County, much to the dismay of those in power at the time.

She lived a full life and will be greatly missed. Her bluntness (a family trait) will especially be missed. She was loved!

Private graveside services were held August 22, 2026.

Donations may be made to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle Raleigh, NC 27607 or to your local SPCA.

You may share your memories and send your condolences to the family by selecting our Guestbook.

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home of Wallace, NC