Marjorie A. Brownlee's Obituary
Decatur-Marjorie A. Brownlee, of Decatur, passed away peacefully in her sleep Sunday, January 29, 2017 in McKinley Court.
Marjorie was born to Russell and Mary Virginia (Ammen) Lehn on December 17, 1930 in a farmhouse in Warrensburg, Illinois. She graduated from Warrensburg School in 1948 and attended the University of Illinois briefly to study opera, she once sang on the radio. As a young woman she was very active in 4-H and loved her animals. She met and married Charles Brownlee in 1950. They lived in Decatur in their early years, but relocated to Orange County, California for more than thirty years.
Marjorie was a homemaker for her husband and four children for many years and later worked as a Real Estate Agent and delivered title documents. She retired from working in 1990, when she and Chuck retuned to Decatur. She enjoyed working later, part-time in the deli at Kroger.
Most important in her life was her dedication to the Lord and service to her church. She was a lifelong member of The First Church of Christ Scientists, in Boston and branch churches in Santa Ana, California, and Decatur, Illinois, serving in many roles including the Superintendent of the Sunday School for many decades. She loved teaching Bible stories to her young students. She was a loving, kind, and patient mother and wife. She lived an exemplary Christian Life.
She is survived by her husband Charles of Decatur, sons Mark and his wife Heather of San Diego, California, Daniel and his wife Debbie of Zanesfield, Ohio, and Eric of Las Vegas, Nevada, daughter Lucy Brownlee and her partner Dan O’Laughlin of Decatur, daughter-in-law Ginny of Temecula, California, and her sister Janet Hill and husband Dwight of Decatur.
Most precious in her memories are her grandchildren; Angela, Mark Jr., Russell, Heather, Kevin, and Whitney whom she had special closeness to and she has nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded into Heaven by her parents and a nephew.
The last line from her favorite hymn, Mother’s Evening Prayer, by Mary Baker Eddy;
No snare, no fowler, pestilence or pain,
No night drops down upon the troubled breast,
When heaven’s after smile earth’s tear drops gain,
And mother finds her home and heavenly rest.
Honoring Marjorie’s wishes cremation services will be provided by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. No services are planned at this time. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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