Joan M. Brown

Mariea Joan McGuire Brown, widow of Levis O. Brown, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026.

Born in Anderson, South Carolina, on August 4, 1933, Joan was the daughter of the late Dollas H. and Bessie Lee Kelly McGuire. Joan was an independent, hardworking woman who knew from an early age what her chosen path was to be in life. She was a graduate of Anderson Girl's High School, and she began her career in 1951 with Southern Bell as a telephone operator. She was consistently promoted over the next ten years eventually becoming a business representative. She remained in that position for 22 years before taking early retirement from Southern Bell in 1982. Two weeks after retiring, Joan began her second career at Anderson Memorial Hospital in telecommunications. She remained in that position for 14 years, finally fully retiring in 1996. While working for Southern Bell, Joan also "moonlighted" at the Osteen Theatre working for Percy Osteen. She was a bookkeeper and ran his theaters for 23 years.

Joan was a faithful member of Covenant Baptist Church. She was active and attended regularly as long as her health permitted. Even when she could not attend as she wished, she maintained contact with her Sunday School class and many members. She was an elegant southern lady who treated everyone graciously and kindly. She loved her family, and she was generous with her love. She would welcome you in her home and serve a meal for you as quickly as she could throw it together. You might enter a stranger, but you left a friend.

She is survived by her beloved nephew, Craig Stamps and his wife Nancy of Orange, California; great-nephew, Ryan Stamps and his wife Natalie and their children Kaenon, Hudson, and Easton; great-nieces, Stacie S. O'Brien and her husband Matthew and their daughter Anisha, and Jorie Stamps and her son Tristan, all of California. She also leaves behind many cousins and friends who will miss her greatly.

Along with her parents, she is predeceased by her brother, John B. McGuire; and her sister, Connie M. Behrendt Lang.

Funeral services will be held at 3 PM on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Sullivan-King Mortuary officiated by Dr. Steve Silvey. Entombment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will be at the residence and will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Covenant Baptist Church, 4521 Liberty Highway, Anderson, SC 29621 or to the charity of one's choice.

Sullivan-King Mortuary