Margaret Brown

Margaret L. Brown, 90, of rural Decatur, died Tuesday, September 17, 2013, at Fair Havens Christian Home. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday, September 22 at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Saturday, September 21, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Illini Cemetery, Warrensburg. Memorials: Illini Congregational Church. Margaret was born on Oct. 27, 1922 in Warrensburg, IL the daughter of Floyd and Maud (Williams) Buckley. She married James "JR" Brown in rural Decatur on July 23, 1940. He survives. Margaret Brown was devoted to family and appreciative of friends. Therefore her life was filled with both. Margaret had a way of making her family feel important by being genuinely interested, listening to stories of activities and achievements, causing us to want to be better family members ourselves. She was able to provide a lifetime of stability by creating a loving environment for JR and their 5 children, as well as her grandmother Celia. Church on Sunday was a must for her and JR during their 73 year marriage. Family members followed her lead. Margaret was active in the Women's Fellowship throughout her life at Illini Congregational Church, where many of her family and friends attend. Another important aspect of Margaret's life was the presence of friends. She cherished life-long friends, and there were many. Adding to her list of friends were those discovered as she and JR traveled, meeting new people along the way, further enriching their lives together, and making an impression on ours. Spending over 20 years at Summer Chase Condominium in Orange Beach, Alabama, brought close friendships and wonderful memories. Margaret enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and needlepoint. Favorite things to do were to travel, golf, fish on Canadian trips, and play games with friends. Margaret especially loved to dance with her sweetheart, "JR". Boy, could they dance! She lived on a farm, loved nature, and was always involved and ready to help -- whether it was driving trucks and tractors, running errands, or keeping workers fed. She spent 8 years driving the school bus on the route that picked up her own children. Very grateful for the life she was given, she was once heard to say, "If the good Lord takes me now, I've had a wonderful life." Thank you, Margaret, for the legacy you left us all. Thanks to Dr. Fritz and the Fairhaven Nursing Home for the care given during the past month, particularly to Chrissy and Marge. Their support was greatly appreciated. Thank you to all of Margaret's children and their spouses for the care and attention they have provided over the past year. And a special thanks to JR, her loving husband who has given exceptional care, enabling Margaret to stay in her home as long as possible. Mrs. Brown is survived by her children: Mrs. Andrea (Harvey) McNeal of Ellettsville, IN, Mrs. Patricia (Tom) Dixon of Decatur, James E. (Shelley) Brown of Warrensburg, Jean (Michael) Carlson of Decatur, and William (Brenda) Brown of Decatur; sisters: Mary Lou Daniels of Decatur and Jeanette Rigdon of Savannah, GA; brothers: Lloyd (Jo) Buckley of Springfield, IL and Floyd (Yolanda) Buckley of Hesperia, CA; 16 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by three brothers and four sisters. "
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