Mary E. Fortune, 83, of Honey Brook, PA passed away Saturday, August 6, 2022, at Chester County Hospital, West Chester, PA.
She was the oldest of seven children born to the late William Paul Brown, Sr., and Mattie Sue (Howse) Brown.
She was a 1958 graduate of Haynes High School in Nashville, TN. She attended church along with her family at Vine Glen Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville and was baptized in her 30's.
Mary was the wife of James B. Fortune. They married in 1960, divorced in 1978 and remarried in the year 2000.
Also in 2000, she moved to Coatesville. She worked as a housekeeper while raising a family.
Mary was a member of New Life in Christ Fellowship in Coatesville, PA, where she served in the nursery and hospitality ministries.
Mary enjoyed cooking, traveling, and loved children. She enjoyed listening to gospel music and watching game shows on television. Most of all she had a passion for taking care of plants and flowers. She was affectionately known as "The Flower Lady." People would give her plants just so she could revive them. She really had a ‘green thumb’. She had many houseplants in her home and the garden outside was a pleasant sight for all to see.
She leaves a legacy of love and cherished memories to her husband, James Fortune; her daughter, Vanessa Fortune of Nashville, TN; sons, Alonzo Fortune and Timothy Fortune both of Nashville, TN; brothers, Albert Brown (Lorraine) of Nashville, TN, Winzell Brown of Antioch, TN; sister, Fannie Miller (Rodney) of Cincinnati, OH, Jannette Winfield of Nashville, TN; grandchildren who called her "Mema": Timmea Fortune of Mississippi, her mother Tywanna Fortune of St. Louis, MO, and Jenae Broman, her mother Janell Broman of Minneapolis, MN; and great-granddaughter, Sarahily Williams. She also leaves her godchildren, Lloyd and Floyd Sarnor; the Palmer family who adopted her over 16 years ago including, Claudia Palmer and all of her children and grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and beloved friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Geraldine Brown; and one brother, William P. Brown, Jr.
Newspaper Obituary
Homegoing Services will be held at 7 PM on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at New Life In Christ Fellowship, 1 South Fifth Avenue, Coatesville, PA 19320. A viewing will be held beginning at 5 PM until the service time.
Click here on Tuesday, August 16th beginning at 6:45 AM to WATCH THE SERVICE LIVE on Zoom.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82313819427?pwd=SHZPSWVpSDlOd2JGbEJtaEZWZXFyQT09
Zoom Meeting ID: 823 1381 9427
Passcode: wright.
Interment will be held on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at 11:30 AM at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Indiantown Gap Road, Annville, PA.
Family and friends may share condolences at the guestbook link on this memorial page. All are welcome to light a candle or share a picture in her remembrance.
Please note: Mary’s last wishes state the following: "Absolutely No Flowers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in my memory to New Life In Christ Fellowship Nursery."
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