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Janie S. Brown, 83, passed away peacefully at her residence in Andalusia, Alabama, on Nov. 5, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

Janie was born in Bolinger, Alabama, on Dec. 15, 1939, to Johnnie Thomas and Flora Bell Smith. Janie was a native of Millry, Alabama, and attended Millry High School. She later returned to her alma mater and worked as a teacher’s assistant for 25 years.

Janie was mother to Tracey, Terry, Tony, Tammy, and Trina. She raised her children with love and devotion in Millry with her husband, Z.N. “Chuck” Brown. Janie was predeceased by her husband in January 2022.

She is survived by her devoted children: Tracey (Andalusia), Terry (Petaluma, California), Tony (Andalusia), Tammy (Albuquerque, New Mexico), Trina (Waynesboro, Mississippi), as well as nine grandchildren: Thomas and Timothy (Tracey), Chelsea and Jesse (Tammy), Nataleigh and Addison (Tony), Paul, Christian and Cahel (Trina) and seven great-grandchildren: Spencer (Chelsea), Tyler, Tristian, Taylor and Trey (Thomas) and Caiden and Tanner (Paul).

Janie had two loving sisters Peggy Dickey (Andalusia) and Jo Ann Reins (The Villages, Florida). Janie was predeceased by her parents (Johnnie Thomas and Flora Bell Smith).

Janie was an avid reader and was never without a book in her hand. She especially loved mystery books. She loved to travel and she enjoyed movies, music, and attending live performances. Married to a football coach for 66 years, Janie enjoyed sports and she especially loved the Alabama Crimson Tide and New Orleans Saints football teams. Her favorite player of all time was Archie Manning. Her favorite song was Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” as she found the lyrics to be particularly meaningful and an anthem for living a full life. Janie’s charm, smile, and sense of humor brightened any given moment. She opened her heart and home, not only to her many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren but also to the friends of all of her children over the years.  She loved the sound of laughter.

Losing a mother is one of the deepest sorrows a heart can know and her presence will be greatly missed.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the nurses at Aveanna Hospice and to the Ascension Sacred Heart Cancer Care Center in Andalusia.

The family will honor their mother in a private ceremony.