Verlie Florence Hiatt Brown

Mrs. Verlie Florence Hiatt Brown, 94, of Mount Airy, died Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at Northern Hospital of Surry County. Mrs. Brown was born June 7, 1915, in Carroll County, VA, the seventh of eight children born to Robert and Laura Harrell Hiatt. She grew up on the family apple orchard, and graduated from Mount Bethel High School. She met Joseph Jackson Brown of Patrick County, VA, and after a long courtship, they were married December 20, 1941, the first couple to wed in the new Willow Hill Moravian Church in Ararat, VA. The Browns moved to Mount Airy and joined Grace Moravian Church in 1944, where Verlie served in various church capacities for more than half a century. She was head diener for many years, supervising the serving of the Moravian Lovefeast. A creative cook who cherished her own sweet tooth, she was known for her cakes and pies. A tireless, talented seamstress, her creations clothed many a friend and family member. She volunteered at Northern Hospital of Surry County for many years. Mrs. Brown is survived by a daughter, Lavinia B. Tillotson of Mount Airy; two sons, David Brown of Miami, FL, and Joe Brown of Altadena, CA; a grandson, Max Brown of Altadena, CA; a sister, Eulala Wolfe of Mount Airy; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband who died in 1979; three sisters, Pearlie Hiatt, Grace H. Laughridge, and Macie H. Thompson; three brothers, Roscoe Hiatt, Thomas Hiatt, and Foy Hiatt; and a son-in-law, Samuel "Spec" Tillotson. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, October 30, 2009, at Grace Moravian Church, with the Rev. Tony Hayworth officiating. Burial will follow in God's Acre. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church. Memorials may be made to the Margaret Leonard Scholarship Fund, c/o Grace Moravian Church, 1401 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030; or to Grace Moravian Church, 1041 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030.