Peggy B. Brown

PEGGY BRANDON BROWN, daughter of the late Dr. Donald G. Brandon and Mrs. Bernice Bias Brandon was born at Duke Hospital in Durham, North Carolina on June 16, 1940. She quietly departed this life on Tuesday, January 25, 2011. Peggy received her early education in the Baltimore City Public Schools and graduated with honors from Frederick Douglass High School. During her formative years and prior to entering college, she enjoyed spending summers with her family in Rochester, New York, Raleigh, North Carolina and Camp Atwater in Springfield, Massachusetts, as well as engaging in activities as a member of jack and jill of America, Incorporated and St. James Episcopal Church. It was no surprise that Peggy would select the field of education as her future career. Education was emphasized by her maternal and paternal family because they realized that it was a cornerstone to success. Peggy’s maternal grandfather, Dr. John H. Bias, was one of the founders and the second President of Elizabeth City State Normal School (now Elizabeth City State University) and her maternal grandmother, Frances Lane Bias, was the librarian. Members on her paternal side of the family also made tremendous strides and significant contributions as a result of result of higher education. The City of Rochester names a rehabilitation center after her paternal aunt, Evelyn Brandon. With this background of education giants in her family, Peggy entered Virginia State Teachers College (now Virginia State University). While attending Virginia State, Peggy often spent the summer months in Rochester, New York assisting her paternal aunts at the YWCA and Montgomery Center for Youth. These experiences help to cultivate her sense of service and the need to demonstrate Christian Love in activities. Peggy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education in 1962, graduating with honors. She also distinguished herself as a scholar by receiving one of the highest scores on the National Teacher’s Examination that year. She received a Masters in Education from The Johns Hopkins University in May 1976. In addition, she received her Certification in Administration and Supervision from Notre Dame College and Loyola College as well as a Certificate in Curriculum Development from Towson State University. Following her graduation, she returned to Baltimore and began her outstanding teaching career with the Baltimore City School System at Lexington Terrace Elementary School. Peggy work various positions, including citywide Demonstration Teacher, Summer School Principal, Reading Curriculum Specialist, Assistant Principal and Principal. Throughout her remarkable career, Peggy was a nurturer and motivator, always encouraging her staff to teach children as if they were their own. She was also a mentor to her staff, inspiring them to stretch their abilities and to pursue other avenues of opportunity in the educational arena. As a result of her support, many of her staff members at Franklin Square later became school administrators in their own right. Peggy’s colleagues affectionately referred to her as Principal of “the birthing school.” Under her leadership, Franklin Square made significant academic gains and was often visited by elected officials. Peggy’s experience at Virginia State were not solely academic because it was there that she met her college sweetheart, Willie Allen Brown. They were joined in holy matrimony on August 15, 1964. From this joyous union, they became the proud parents of Terry Allen and Donnice Elizabeth. Their demonstration of love and family was apparent to all who knew them. Peggy’s husband preceded her in death after- twenty-three years of marriage. After serving the Baltimore City Public School System for 40 years, Peggy retired as Principal of Franklin Square Elementary School in June 2004, However, her retirement was short lived because in July 2004, Peggy was invited to join other retired educators to serve the school system as a Restructuring Implementation Specialist. In this newly created position, Peggy mentored principals to ensure that their schools met annual yearly process goals. Peggy was widely revered by her peers, students and staff as an articulate, dedicated and competent educator. She will be remembered for her commitment to the mission of educating youth, her generous responses to the needs of others, her commitment to the development of youth potential, and for being completely devoted to her family. She loved her children immensely. Peggy touched the lives of many through her quite, polite and unassuming demeanor. Peggy’s dedication to youth and public service extended beyond the classroom. She devoted countless hours to programs which emphasized the social, cultural, and academic advancement of youth leaders. Following the rich legacy of her mother, Peggy was initiated into the Alpha Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated in 1962 at Virginia State. She later became an active member of the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter. Peggy’s calming spirit was a considerable influence in challenging situations and her gracious words of wisdom were received with gratitude from the collegiate members of the MuMu Citywide Chapter of delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated at Towson University and alummae members alike. Peggy was a charter member of the Patapsco River Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, where she faithfully served as Chair of the Services to Youth Facet and member of the Scholarship Committee. She also held memberships in Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, the Baltimore Chapter of The Pinochle Bugs Social and Civic Club, Incorporated, National Education Association, Public Schools Administrators and Supervisor Association, Virginia State University Alumni Association, Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) National Alumni Association, John H. Bias Alumni Chapter of ECSU, Baltimore Chapter of the Virginia State University Alumni Association, Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association, Fairmount Neighborhood Association and Bias Shores Homeowners Association. She was instrumental in the development of Bias Shores Beach Resort in Duck, North Carolina. In her spare time, Peggy enjoyed traveling, shopping with her daughter and special friends, and spending time with her family at their family home in Duck, North Carolina. In addition to her impeccable sense of style, warm heart, encouraging words, Peggy will be remembered for her commitment to service. Some people spend their entire lives serving others, never asking for credit or rewards. Peggy Brandon Brown was one of those people. She truly epitomized the psalmist David when he said: But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants. Day and night they think about His law. They are like trees planted along the river bank bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper. Psalm 1:2-3 Peggy is survived by: her son, Terry A. Brown, Sr.; devoted daughter, Donnice E. Brown; granddaughter, Briana N. Brown; grandson, Terry A. Brown, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Glynn Brown; brother-in-law, Richard Brown; sister-in-law, Jean Brown; aunts, Lillian Bias Abron, Clara Belle, Gussie McNair; god-sons, Steven Fraiser, Nelson Greene, Dr. Jimmie H. Smith, Jr., and Walter Thompson; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

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Peggy B. Brown

June 16, 1940 - January 25, 2011