Jeanette Spencer Brown

1945 - 2025

Jeanette Spencer Brown completed her life on the evening of November 9, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family and friends, following an eleven-and-a-half-week battle with complications from West Nile virus - a circumstance as rare and unforgettable as Jeanette herself.

A native of Calhoun, Georgia, Jeanette was born on February 11, 1945, to Houston Parks Spencer and Reita Hessey Spencer. Jeanette loved growing up in the North Georgia and Tennessee mountains, and was proud of her heritage. She especially loved her brothers Lyman and Houston, who she looked up to tremendously and bantered with often.

In high school, Jeanette developed a passion for being a baton twirling majorette. She formed deep friendships there that would last her lifetime and she developed the compassion and strength that would guide her throughout her life.

Jeanette graduated from Calhoun High School in1963 and continued her education, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia in 1967. She began her career in the Recovery Room of Eugene Talmadge Memorial Hospital and later served in the Emergency Room at St. Mary's Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia, where her calm presence and caring spirit touched many lives.

While in nursing school, Jeanette met the love of her life, Ace Brown, a medical student from Vidalia, Georgia. The two were smitten with each other and married on October 22, 1967. They began their journey traveling with Ace's medical assignments through the Navy in Portsmouth, Norfolk and Charleston. In 1971, they moved to Augusta for Ace to complete his ophthalmology residency, and eventually settled here to raise their family.

Shortly after, she stepped away from her profession to devote herself fully to her family. Jeanette and Ace were blessed with three daughters-JoAnn Spring, Summer Lyn, and Autumn Leigh. She took great joy in being a mother, and encouraged her daughters to follow their own passions, always offering them unwavering support, love, and wisdom.

Jeanette continued her lifelong commitment to serving others by volunteering and participating on numerous boards and committees. Most notably the MCG Alumni Association-a meaningful way to remain connected with her nursing school friends for more than 50 years.

But more than anything, Jeanette treasured watching her children and grandchildren grow. She rarely missed a birthday, school event, or family celebration, always showing up with love and pride. She poured her heart into every moment she shared with them, and usually marked the occasion with a yummy treat or distinctive stuffed animal.

Jeanette saw the ocean for the first time at age 16. She was captivated by its immense beauty and savored her trips to Wild Dunes with family and friends by working puzzles, waving at pelicans and watching the sunrise. She also adored being at home with her best friend Ace, enjoying simple Southern comforts like a bowl of warm cornbread with milk or watching "Friends" with some champagne and goldfish crackers.

Jeanette touched the lives of many through her kindness, warmth, and quiet strength. She was blessed with enduring friendships that accompanied her through every season of her life, and she treasured staying connected through regular phone calls and visits, always making time to listen and share in their joys. In recent years, her Monday night dinners at French Market Grille became a highlight of the week-an opportunity to reconnect, exchange stories and celebrate the simple pleasures of life.

Jeanette will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, and her kindness, laughter, and steadfast love will continue to brighten their hearts.

She leaves behind her loving husband of 58 years, Ace Brown, and three daughters JoAnn Brown Maguire of Atlanta, GA, Summer Pharr (Kelly) of Davidson, NC and Autumn Brown of Penland, NC. She is also survived by her grandchildren – Reita Maguire, Davis, Holden and Anna Katherine Pharr – and many furry grands.

If interested, donations may be made to the Mosquito Illness Alliance by visiting www.mosquitoillnessalliance.org, to First Baptist Church Augusta or the organization of your choice.

A celebration of Jeanette's life will be held in the Storey Chapel at First Baptist Church Augusta at 1:30pm on Sunday, November 16, 2025. If you cannot attend you may join virtually though https://discoverfbc.org/watch/

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com