Mary McCulloch Templeton Brown died at home on Friday, April 15, 2022, at age 102. She was known by many as Mrs. Brown, Mary McCulloch, Mary Mac, Mac, Culloch, as well as Mama, Grandmama, and GreatMama. She will be missed by all.
She was born September 12, 1919, in Portsmouth, Va., to Mary Williams Templeton and Dr. John Young Templeton Jr. She grew up in Deep Creek, Va., and Mooresville, N.C., surrounded by extended family. Mrs. Brown graduated from Agnes Scott College in 1940 with a degree in Mathematics and from UNC-Chapel Hill with a master’s degree in math. She pursued a doctorate at Johns Hopkins University. She taught college mathematics at Lander, Queens, and Catawba Colleges and high school at Richfield before marrying and raising children.
Upon her marriage to George Knox Brown, she moved to Mount Ulla and became a leader in Back Creek Presbyterian Church and in the community. Having begun teaching Sunday School while she was in high school, Mrs. Brown continued to teach adults and children into her 90s. She was a dedicated member and leader in the Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as the volunteer coordinator for the American Red Cross Bloodmobile and on the boards of the Salvation Army and the Rufty Senior Center in Salisbury.
Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and two of her siblings. She leaves behind a daughter, Mary Brown Diehl and husband Mark of Stokesdale, and a son, Henry Brown and wife Mona of Mount Ulla; five grandchildren: Bekah Diehl and husband Matt Bussell of Jonesboro, Ark., Will Diehl and wife Hendrika of Dallas, Texas; Mac Brown and fiancée Kessa Gomez of Mount Ulla, David Diehl of Raleigh, and Cora Brown Horton and husband Nathan of Mount Ulla; one brother, Dr. Thomas Templeton of Statesville; and two great-grandchildren, Meier Mary Diehl Bussell and Harrison Diehl, as well as many nieces and nephews, who all miss her greatly.
She has been an inspiration to so many-in her family, organizations, and community. We are thankful for her life well lived.
A service of remembrance will be held on Saturday, April 30, at 2 p.m. at her church, Back Creek Presbyterian. Beginning at 12:30 p.m., the family will receive visitors at the church located at 2145 Back Creek Church Road, Mount Ulla, N.C.
Memorials may be made to Back Creek Presbyterian Church, 2145 Back Creek Church Road, Mt. Ulla, NC 28125, the American Red Cross, 2425 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28203, or the Salvation Army, 2318 Julia Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28202.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Brown family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.