RAYETTA V. BROWN

Rayetta V. (Willard) Brown, 95, went to meet her Lord and Savior, Monday, April 22, 2024, at Coffman Nursing Home, Hagerstown, MD.  Prior to entering Coffman, in February 2024, she was a resident of Brookdale Senior Living Solutions, Hagerstown, for over four years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond A. and Vera R. (Pryor) Willard, two brothers, Theophilus Willard, and Raymond Willard, Jr., sister, Anna Mae Leatherman.  Also preceding her in death, were her husband, Martin (Luke) Brown and daughter, Rosalie Stambaugh.  Surviving her are daughters, Judy Eyler and husband, Jim; Sarah Crunkleton and husband, Steve; son-in law, Eugene Stambaugh, 8 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, siblings – Vera Evangeline Brown, Gladys Leatherman, Lilly Catherine Shindledecker, Rosemary Whetstone, William Willard and Edgar Joseph Willard, as well as her many nieces and nephews, who fondly remember her as Aunt Ette. In her early years, Rayetta worked at the Waynesboro Knitting Mill, Waynesboro, PA, and Claire Frock, Thurmont, MD. She retired in 1994, after many years of service, as a custodian for the Washington County Board of Education, Hagerstown, MD.  She was a very active member of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, Smithsburg, MD, where she taught Sunday school for many years, and was a founding member of the Mt. Bethel Women’s Group.  In her church family she was known as the “Lemonade Lady”, where she made many jugs of delicious lemonade for the annual church picnic. Rayetta was known for her expert seamstress abilities; she sewed and mended the Christmas Angel gowns and costumes for the Mt. Bethel Christmas Eve Nativity. Over the years, Rayetta received many first and second place ribbons and other accolades from the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show for her crafty sewing entries. Most importantly, though, she loved her family; those of us whom she left behind will fondly remember the special get-to-gathers, and all the good food had at Grandma & Pap Brown’s house.  The family wishes to thank the staff at Coffman Nursing Home, and Brookdale Senior Living Solutions for the kind and compassionate care they provided our loved one. It was Rayetta’s wish that there be no viewing.  Services will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, 14110 Stottlemyer Road, Smithsburg, MD  21783, Pastor Andrew Brown will officiate. Burial will be in the adjacent cemetery.  Family will receive friends, beginning at 1 PM, on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the church.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in Rayetta’s memory, to Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, 14110 Stottlemyer Road, Smithsburg, MD 21783 or the Mt Bethel Women’s Group, 14110 Stottlemyer Road, Smithsburg, MD 21783. 
Arrangements were made with J.L. Davis Funeral Home, Smithsburg, MD, and online condolences can be offered at www.jldavisfh.com.