Mrs. Mary Brown Elder of 940 West Warren St. Apt. 5 Shelby, NC departed this life on Friday, July 26, 2019 in Shelby, NC. She was born on May 2, 1938 in Morgan County, GA as the eldest child of Jim Henry Brown and Minnie Louise Davenport Brown.

Mrs. Elder was united in holy matrimony in 1957 to the late Robert Lee Elder. They relocated to Shelby in 1959. Three children were born of their union, Curtis, Faye and Cheryl. After her husband died in 1967, Mrs. Elder became a hardworking and dedicated single parent making sure that she always provided for her children's needs. She eventually retired from Doran Textiles.

Mrs. Elder was a people person. She loved people and enjoyed making people laugh with her quick wit. Her other pastimes included working puzzles, drinking coffee and watching Gun Smoke. She was a down to earth person who enjoyed the simple things of life.

Mrs. Elder was a member of Canaan Memorial Baptist Church in Shelby.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim Henry Brown and Minnie Louise Davenport Brown; her husband, Robert Lee Elder; her son, Curtis Elder; her brothers, Ronnie Brown, Gene Brown, Garnett Brown, James Brown, David Brown and Thomas Brown and a sister, Margie Brown.

She leaves to cherish fond memories, two daughters, Faye Elder Guyton (Tony) of Kingstown, NC and Cheryl Elder McDowell of Shelby; one sister, Dwynell Davis (Charles) of Atlanta, GA; four grandchildren, Travoris Black, Chinetta Black, Erica Lockhart and Joshua McDowell, Sr.; great-grandchildren, Aariona Burris, Nasir Green, Amir Green, Jamya Spikes, Joshua McDowell, Jr. and Shikiyah Stroud; a daughter-in-law, Joyce Elder of Shelby; special niece, Sharon Bell (Derrick) of Monroe, GA; sister-in-law, Sarah Brown of Monroe GA; good friend, Etta Barber of Shelby and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 12:30 PM at Canaan Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. R.E. Devoe officiating. Burial will take place at Chestnut Grove Baptist Church in Rutledge GA. The family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until 12:30 PM on Thursday and other times at the home of her daughter, Faye Guyton, 2132 Kingston Road Kingstown NC. Condolences can be expressed online at www.enloemortuary.com. Enloe Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.