MANTEO — Marsha Mann Brown, 74, of Manteo, NC, was surrounded by her family when she grasped the hand of our Lord and Savior at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center on March 14, 2025.
Marsha was born on September 20, 1950, in Key West, Florida, where her father was stationed in the US Coast Guard. In 1960, her family returned to their Outer Banks roots and settled in Manteo, NC.
At 17, Marsha met and married her beloved husband–her “Sweetie Pie,” Army veteran, Billy Brown. Together, they spent 48 years building their life and legacy with a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love.
Throughout her life, Marsha was an adoring wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend – and was equally adored in return. She was devout in her faith as a member of Manteo First Assembly and dedicated to her craft as both a writer and a REALTOR.
During her successful real estate career since 1981, Marsha served as a member of the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS, and was duly appointed as a member of the OBAR Good Neighbors League for her efforts as a volunteer in our community.
She also spent much of her time volunteering for notable causes and organizations advocating for military veterans; a true passion. From 2013 to 2024, Marsha acted as Secretary for the Dare County Veterans Advisory Council, and was a lifetime member of The Outer Banks VFW Post 10950 Auxiliary. She established a weekly column in The Coastland Times, “Gig Line”, which she wrote in honor of her late husband, and in support of military veterans and service members across the country.
In 2020, she was presented with The Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service in recognition of her enduring dedication to our veteran community.
Marsha was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William S. “Billy” Brown, Jr.; her loving parents, Marvin and Eleanor Mann; her brothers, Mickey and Ed Mann; and her faithful Yorkie, Pepper.
She is survived by her son, William S. “Bill” Brown III; her daughter, Bonnie Brown Rowe (John W. Smith III); her grandchildren, Kristian Brown, Ben Brown (Camille Talton), Elizabeth Brown, and Jeffrey Mueller (Kaitlin Gibson and Hudson Kole); her sister, Donna Rich (Randey); nieces and nephews, Stephen Cooper (Janie), Kenneth Cooper, Denise Cooper (Samuel), Crystal Cooper; great-niece Kayla Mesbergen (Andrew); great-nephew, Austin Cooper (Priscilla); two great-grand-nieces, Dahlia and Willow Mesbergen. She is also survived by her beloved second daughter, Bonnie Jo Waits; granddaughter, Stormy Heroux, and great-grandsons, Wyatt and Gauge Cooper. In addition to her loving family, she was blessed with many amazing and truly genuine friends who loved her unconditionally. They showed unwavering support and sincere dedication to her at every opportunity
A Celebration of Life for Marsha will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, March 24, 2025, at Manteo First Assembly (811 N Hwy 264, Manteo, NC, 27954).
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be sent to the Billy Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Outer Banks VFW Post 10950 (obxvfw@gmail.com).
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
