Marie June Brown

Marie June Brown, 79, of Columbus, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home on July 13, 2025. Born on October 11, 1945, in Columbus, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late Johnny Franklin Shelton and Virginia Katherine Wyatt Shelton.

Memorial services will be held 5:00PM Saturday, July 19, 2025 in the Chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory with Pastor Jeff Garrett officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907. She will be cremated, per her wishes.

Marie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, J.W. Brown of Clopton, Alabama, as well as her sons Ellis "Bo" Holloway and Jeff Holloway. She was also preceded in death by her siblings Johnny Franklin Shelton Jr., Tim Shelton, and Andy Shelton and her granddaughter Madelyn Brown.

She is survived by her children Deborah McGough, Maurice Brown, Tony Brown, and Cathy Jackson; grandchildren Chris Jones, Brandon Holloway, Beth Holloway, Darren Holloway, David Brown, Andrew Brown, Hope Sewell, Jeffery Jackson, Brittany Ezell, and Kellie Brown; 14 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by her sister, Jackie Thomas (Ken).

Despite limited formal education, Marie relied on her sharp common sense, grit, and determination to succeed. She rose through the ranks to become Comptroller for several Ford dealerships in Atlanta, Georgia, earning the respect of her colleagues through her tireless work ethic, integrity, and dependability. She and her husband, Jay, also ran a successful business for many years, purchasing pre-owned vehicles, repairing them, and reselling them—a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and resourcefulness.

Though small in stature, she possessed a strength, resilience, and courage that far exceeded her size - people underestimated her at their detriment. Marie endured more than her share of hardship, including the heartbreaking loss of her two sons and living with osteogenesis imperfecta, a rare bone disease that caused frequent fractures throughout her life. Yet she never complained or sought sympathy. Her mantra was simple and powerful: “There’s no sense in worrying about things you can’t change.” Her resilience was steady, quiet, and deeply rooted in her faith.

Marie had a deep love for dogs, especially pugs and Yorkshire terriers. Her most recent companion, a Yorkie named Elvis, held a very special place in her heart and was always by her side.

A devoted follower of Christ, Marie was a longtime member of Wynnbrook Baptist Church in Columbus. She especially loved her Sunday school class and spoke often of the deep friendships she found there.

Her family will remember her as a woman of love, strength, deep faith, and unshakable resolve. She will be deeply missed.