A. Jeanette "Jan" Brown

Avis Jeanette "Jan" (Winburn) Brown, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed peacefully into the presence of Jesus on December 26, 2025, at the age of 95. She was born on April 2, 1930 in Mayo, Florida, to Sadie and Ovil A. Winburn, Sr., and grew up with her siblings Harold, Al (Jr), and Norma, all of whom preceded her in death. She was also preceded by her son in law, Randy Koch.

Jan is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, Albert Hugh Brown of Zebulon, NC, who faithfully cared for her throughout her long illness. She is also survived by her children-Hugh Brown (Richardson, TX), Kevin Brown (Spruce Pine, NC), and Sandra Kay Koch (Marietta, GA)-who were the joy of her life and the recipients of her unwavering love, encouragement, and gentle strength.

Jan attended Florida State University before beginning a long and varied career as a skilled secretary and executive assistant. She was a highly competent bank teller before becoming an Executive Assistant at Kimely Horn Engineering in Cary, NC. In her latter working years she had various administrative assignments through Manpower. Known for her remarkable speed and accuracy on her IBM Selectric, she "could type like a banshee," a talent that became one of her trademarks.

A woman of deep faith, Jan loved reading-especially her Bible. Psalm 23 was her lifelong favorite, a passage she returned to again and again for comfort and assurance. Her faith shaped her character: steady, kind, humble, and anchored in trust.

Jan delighted in simple joys. She loved puzzles-especially the 1000 piece monsters that others avoided-crossword puzzles, gardening, and being outdoors. Pulling weeds, to her, was not a chore but a pleasure. She adored butterflies and hummingbirds, and she lit up around babies and young children, whose presence brought out her biggest smiles.

For over 30 years after Al's retirement, Jan and Al traveled the country in their RV, exploring new places, meeting new friends, and savoring the freedom of the open road. Those adventures became some of their most cherished memories.

Jan's final 14 months were marked by courage and determination as she faced Alzheimer's disease and the effects of a stroke. Even as her body weakened, her spirit remained strong. She worked tirelessly to recover after her stroke in November 2024, regaining enough mobility to walk with a walker. After a fall in August 2025 that resulted in a broken arm and leg, she continued to fight, but her progressing Alzheimer's made recovery difficult. She returned home under hospice care in early November, where she remained-just as she wished-surrounded by love, familiar comforts, and the gentle presence of her family.

In her final months, Jan gifted her family with many tender moments on her "good days," moments filled with gratitude, affection, and the strength that defined her life. She held onto her independence as long as she could, a testament to her resilient spirit.

A small, private family burial will be held in the coming weeks.

Jan lived a life marked by love, faith, and steadfast devotion to her family. She leaves behind a legacy of gentleness, perseverance and a tendency to speak her mind. Those who knew her will remember her smile, her humor, her heart for those in need, and the way she made every child feel seen and cherished.

Her family rejoices that she is now whole, healed, and at peace in the arms of her Savior.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Samaritan's Purse.