Arminta Minshew Brown

Arminta Minshew Brown of Rockingham, age 81, passed away peacefully at her home on July 31, 2017. She was born October 14, 1935 in Eureka, North Carolina to Fred and Elsie Mae Minshew. She graduated from Eureka High School and along with her twin sister, Juanita, attended Campbell Jr. College and graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in Home Economics. She began her teaching career in 1958 in Ellerbe. She taught in Ellerbe until 1972 when she moved to Richmond Sr. High, but she returned to Ellerbe Junior High to finish her career. She was always active in FHA on both the local and state level. She loved her “girls” as she fondly called her students and her boys too once Home Ec became co-ed. She spent her summers teaching others how to can and freeze while she completed these same tasks for her family. She put up enough for a family of six even after the nest was empty. She first retired from Richmond County Schools in 1991, but returned to teaching part-time as a homebound teacher and retired with a total of 44 years’ experience. In 1963 Arminta married Freddy Brown of Rockingham and became mother to his three young children. They made their home on Crestview Dr. for the next 53 plus years. She was an active member of Crestview Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents and her twin sister, Juanita Hodges. She is survived by her husband, Freddy Brown, her daughter, Debra Wallace (Cameron) of Charlotte, son, Rick Brown (Stephen Reese)of Charlotte, daughter, Terri Brown of Rockingham, and son, Tim Brown (Debra Lee) of New Bern. Arminta was beloved Nana to four grandchildren, Martha Kinney (Matt) of Charlotte, McCrea Wallace (Sarah) of Raleigh, Fred Brown of Adams Creek, and Myra Brown of Wanchese, NC. She had four great-grandchildren, Liam and Clara Kinney and Anna-Blake and McCrea Wallace. She is also survived by her sister, Ollie Mae Rogers and two nephews, Jim Hodges and Adam Rogers. There are also many nieces and nephews who loved their “Aunt Ar” from her blended family. She was devoted wife and mother; family was her life. The family would like to express a special thank you to Emily McKinney who took care of Arminta after she returned home in April. They would also like to thank the amazing staff of Richmond County Hospice who not only cared for Arminta but were also attentive to the family as they made this journey. A Celebration of Life will be held at Crestview Baptist Church on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. followed by a graveside service and interment at Richmond Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at Carter Funeral Home in Ellerbe from six to eight p.m. on Wednesday, August 2; and other times at the home.Memorial gifts may be made to Crestview Baptist Church, 436 Crestview Road, Rockingham, NC 28379, Hospice of Richmond County, 1119 US Hwy 1 N,Rockingham, NC 28379 or the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011 Washington, D.C. 20090-6011.