Edith Clara (Hyde) Brown - of Harleysville, Pennsylvania passed away on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at The Birches at Arbor Square; she was 89.

She was born at the home of her grandmother Gibson in Philadelphia, PA on April 19, 1923. She was born to the late Russell Frederick Hyde and the late Amy Clara (Gibson) Hyde of Marcus Hook, PA.

Edith is survived by her two daughters; Merrilynn Edith & husband, Paul William Wheeler of Harleysville, PA and Joy Christine & husband, David Kern of Bourbonnais, IL; her daughter-in-law Genève Brown of Brown Deer, WI; her three brothers; Russell Hyde & wife, Eva of Honey Brook, PA, Bud Hyde & wife, Marjorie of Middletown, NY, Carl Hyde & wife, Val of Seminole, FL, sister-in-law Pauline Hyde of FL; her two grandsons; Jacob B. Brown of Brown Deer, WI and Daniel L. Wheeler of Washington, DC; her two granddaughters; Jennifer Brown of Brown Deer, WI and Rebekah Rohrbach & husband, Wade of Nashville, TN and her great-grandson - Lucian Eric Rohrbach of Nashville, TN.

Edith Brown was predeceased by her husband of 60+ years – Rev. Dr. George W. Brown Jr. of Dowling Park, FL; her first born child – George W. Brown III of Brown Deer WI.; one sister – Alice Adams of Dowling Park, FL; one brother – Edgar Hyde of FL; one foster sister – Virginia Locke of Marcus Hook, PA.

Edith graduated from Eddystone High School, Eddystone, PA class of 1941. She attended The Philadelphia School of the Bible, where during her third year was asked why she was attending the school, she said, “I’m in training to be a minister’s wife.” Edith graduated from Philadelphia School of the Bible – Evening Course of Study and received a diploma on June 7, 1945. Just prior to her graduation, she married George W. Brown Jr. on September 8, 1944. George, having a great sense of God’s calling, left a promising career with Worth Steel Company to join the Lord’s business and was licensed to preach the Gospel on May 26, 1946. Although Edith was raised a Baptist, attending Marcus Hook Baptist Church in Marcus Hook, PA, she and George chose the Congregational Christian Church to serve as a Pastor’s family. After George’s ordination in June, 1949 they began to serve their first parish in Fair Haven, VT on June 13, 1949 – 1959. During this time their three children were born; George W. III, Merrilynn Edith and Joy Christine. In 1959 they moved to serve the First Congregational Church, Fall River, MA; then First Congregational Church, Tacoma, WA; then Bethany Union Church, Chicago, IL; then Nantmeal United Methodist Church, Nantmeal, PA. They also served the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches in Oak Creek, WI. They mentored men and women who were studying to serve in the Lord’s work as pastors, Christian Education Directors, and spouses of pastors. Edith saw her mission to meet with young pastor’s wives and help them understand life as a pastoral family. Edith accomplished her mission’s goal.

During her earlier years she began working, in July, 1941 as a General Worker for the American VISCO Company in the jet room where she punched holes in the jets with diamond tips. She also worked from 1944-49 for Frank H. Fleer Corporation, the makers of Fine Chewing Gum; Double Bubble gum. The workers were often asked if they would sample the chewing gum and if they had suggestions; Edith suggested they try spearmint for bubble gum – taste – a disaster. Her greatest job was being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-mother and partner with her husband in the work of the Lord.

Edith loved ice cream and doughnuts, laughing, singing in church choirs, sewing and crafts; serving in various church ladies committees. She was a life time PEO Chapter member as well.

Her greatest joy in life was to sing in the church choir and make a joyful noise unto God. She now is in the greatest choir and her voice resounds with the committed love of God as she sings to His Glory and Joy in the Angels Heavenly Choir.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Faith Bible Fellowship Church, 140 Harleysville Pike, Harleysville, Pennsylvania 19438 where friends may meet with the family from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.

Inurnment will take place at Bixler Memorial Advent Christian Church Cemetery in Live Oak, FL sometime in June.

Memorial contributions may be made in the memory of Edith H. Brown to: Crossroads Hospice, 523 Plymouth Road, Suite 225, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.

Arrangements by: Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 East Broad Street, Souderton, Pennsylvania 18964. To send online condolences to the family, visit www.andersfh.com