Martha S. Brown

Martha Jane (Scotton) Brown was born on September 23, 1929 to Ida (Reynolds) and William Scotton in Siler City, North Carolina.  She departed peacefully on Sunday, January 31, 2021 in Silver Spring, MD.

Martha was the 5th of 11 children – Bill, Howard, Jessie, John, Martha, Mary, Rebecca, Ruby, George, Ida, and Joseph – who grew up in Siler City.  After graduating from Chatham County High School, Martha received a scholarship to attend college.

Martha enrolled in Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina.  She graduated in May 1952 with a B.A. degree in Elementary Education and began her teaching career in Pittsboro, North Carolina (for 3-years).

Martha moved to Washington, DC to further pursue her career in education.  While living in the nation’s capital, Martha met John H. Brown (of Waxhaw, NC) and they married in July, 1955.  Their union was blessed with two children, John Jr. and Wanda.

She taught in the D.C. Public School System for 33-years.  Many of those academic years were spent at Cleveland Elementary School in Northwest Washington, where she taught first grade students.

Martha also provided volunteer support to various community organizations in DC including SOME (So Others May Eat), Christian Reform Church Senior Citizens Program, and the Quackenbos Street Friendly Neighborhood Club.

In addition, Martha and her husband, John, had active spiritual lives and they were involved as Deacons at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC) since 1978.  (The family became members of the church in 1968.)  Her volunteer work at Plymouth was extensive, as she served in a variety of roles including: Sunday School and Vacation Bible School Teacher, Assistant Leader for the September Calendar Club, Member of the Bereavement Ministry, Member of the Repast Committee, Researcher for the book on Plymouth Church’s History, Mentor and Prayer Partner for the Co-op Deacons, Member of the Plymouthite Club (for outreach services), Member of the Food Pantry Club, and other activities.  She was elected as Outstanding Volunteer of the Year by the Women’s Association of Plymouth UCC Church in 2001.  In 2002, she was honored as a “Wise Woman Elder” by the Diaconate of Plymouth and the Potomac Association, and she was elevated to the status of Deacon Emeriti at Plymouth UCC.

Blessed with a full life, Martha also enjoyed genealogy and family history, music, arts and crafts, sewing, and the culinary arts for many years.

She is survived by son John Jr. (and Ford Chinworth), and daughter Wanda, as well as her sisters Ida Ruth (Scotton) Battle and Ruby (Scotton) Brockington, brother George Scotton, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A celebration of Martha’s life will be held at a future date when it is safe for family and friends to do so (including travel and social gathering).  We are looking forward to that day.  In the meantime, the family welcomes your prayers.  Please view and sign the family guestbook at www.mcguire-services.com

Donations in the name of Martha J. Brown’s memory may be sent to Plymouth Congregational  United Church of Christ, 5301 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20011.

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