Linda Brown

Linda Diane Bradford Brown reached for the Angels to guide her home to Jesus on Monday, October 23, 2023, at Care Partners Hospice with her immediate family by her side. She was born in Buncombe County on February 3, 1948, to mother, Reba Snelson Bradford, and father, Earl Cecil Bradford. She was an only child and loved being part of a group; be it work-related, or the many, many friends she knew from the several neighborhoods where she and her husband, Clay Brown, and their two sons resided. Linda graduated from Lee Edwards High School in Asheville, now Asheville High, and began a career at Southern Bell Telephone. Several years later, she was out with friends at Buck's Restaurant, a gathering place for all young folks at that time, in Asheville. It was there that Potter Maclay Brown, just back to Asheville after serving in the army, picked her out of the group, got her phone number, and the rest is history. They were married in January 1971. Several years later, along came their first son, Steven Maclay Brown, followed later by second son, Scott Maclay Brown. Linda was a very engaging Mother, when the boys started school, with a few hours of time to fill daily, Linda became very interested in her primary hobby of counted cross stitch. She helped her close friend Betsy in her shop “Calico Cross Stitch" located in Skyland. They spent many hours doing cross stitch, sometimes while visiting on the phone. While the boys were young, the entire family attended many slot car competitions, which led to a family interest in attending NASCAR races when possible. While Clay, Steven, and Scott had their interests with a basement full of car hobbies, along with Clay's interest in classic cars and going to Gatlinburg in their RV to car shows, Linda became a collector of many girly items, in addition to the beautiful cross stitch pictures she expertly completed. First were dolls, next were Precious Moments figurines, Bonsai, a hobby she shared with Son, Scott, teddy bears, many books, and always a love of plants and flowers. Clay always made sure she had blooming shrubs and flowers wherever they lived, inside and outside. Steven was the first to get married and gave Linda and Clay their first Grandson, Logan Maclay. Logan spent a lot of time with them, and they truly enjoyed having the opportunity to enjoy (and spoil "a little") and take him to preschool and pick him up. Logan is now married and made them great-grandparents with his beautiful son, Latham. Scott also married Crystal Fowler and they were blessed with daughter, Riley. After moving to Hendersonville, Linda worked at Bon Worth Clothing part-time but enjoyed visiting their neighbors, usually while walking one of their small dogs. It was here in 2013 that she had the horrible experience of having her first stroke that rocked their world. She was unable to manage to do her cross stitch anymore, and not being able to drive, she engaged in many TV shows, Country Music, and eventually an iPad that opened a whole new world of Facebook, Email, and Texting. She had fun contacting many folks, she would not have been able to contact otherwise. She also had many sessions of neurological therapy. During this time, Linda, a strong Christian, questioned her faith and had contact with several ministers and other Christians who helped strengthen her relationship with God. Linda had claustrophobic tendencies and was uncomfortable being hemmed in on a church pew. She and Clay discovered several TV Ministers to follow each Sunday morning and continued watching until her recent hospitalization. During Linda’s rehab, she reached out to the Tandys to visit with her. This led to the start of sharing meals and playing a simple card game with a fun rivalry between guys and girls. This led to teaching them to play Mexican train dominoes which was very helpful to Linda's strengthening her right hand and other cognitive areas. The dominoes continued weekly for many years. We played our last game approximately three weeks before her last stroke. When Clay and Linda built their last home in Fletcher, nearer Tandys, she also became re-acquainted with a friend, JoAnne who was very faithful in coming to visit her almost weekly, picking up lunch and visiting with her while they enjoyed adult coloring sessions. JoAnne was very faithful to Linda. When she was out of town, she always called Linda to check on her by phone. Again, Linda's last collection was many, many-colored pencils and almost as many colored books. Linda was preceded in death by both of her parents and is survived by her loving husband Clay, son, Steven, Grandson, Logan, and great-grandson, Lathan. Also survived by son, Scott and wife, Crystal, and Granddaughter, Riley. She also leaves behind her last precious rescue puppy, Phoebe, who was her constant companion, many friends, and neighbors whom she loved and befriended through her busy years. She will truly be missed. A Graveside Service is planned for Linda B. Brown on Monday, October 30, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Asheville NC, presided over by Pastor Jeff Smith of Brookstone Church.

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Linda Brown

February 3, 1948 - October 23, 2023